Integrate MathType into Assessments

MathType integrates with many other LMS's (e.g. Blackboard, Canvas, GoogleDocs, Moodle) but not with Blackbaud/OnCampus. The online assessment feature in OnCampus is too limited for math (and science) teachers. We need an equation editor. Blackbaud, could you please reach out to MathType and get their equation editor integrated into your system. This is critical as we are all transitioning to completely teaching online.

  • Paul Mlakar
  • Mar 20 2020
  • Planned
  • Attach files
  • Mollie McDermott commented
    11 Jul, 2021 11:41pm

    I see that this idea is marked as Planned. I wonder if there is a timeline as to when it will be implemented?

  • Glenn Morisawa commented
    18 May, 2020 11:34pm

    Please integrate MathType into assessments

  • Angela Addison commented
    18 May, 2020 03:50pm

    Hi @Paul Mlakar they can do this now here is a screenshot of a test I created then took as a fake student. The first question was essay form, student pasted their formula. The second is a fill in the blank where I took the latex for the right answer and put that as the acceptable answer. The problem with the current solution of course is that they still right now (same as teachers have to currently) have to use an external formula builder and then paste it in. There are many tools out there available. The difference in what will be coming is that yes the editor will have an equation builder built in so that will eliminate the need for cutting and pasting or knowing Latex syntax.

  • Paul Mlakar commented
    18 May, 2020 01:52pm

    Hi, Angela. Will the students be able to enter their answers to questions using TinyMCE when it’s released? That’s the level that is really needed – for students to be able to input math expressions on fill in the blank or essay questions.
    Thanks,
    Paul

    ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Paul Mlakar
    Director of Academic Information Systems | Scheduler
    Mathematics Teacher | Academic Team Coach | SAT/ACT Site Supervisor

    St. Mark's School of Texas
    10600 Preston Road | Dallas, TX 75230
    214.346.8451 | MLAKARP@smtexas.org

    [StMarksLogo]

  • Angela Addison commented
    17 May, 2020 01:27pm

    Hi @Jon Gray! Thanks so much for the comment! We made recent enhancements to assessments to fix the rendering in the questions and added the ability to also do the same in the answers. Hope others see this! I'm leaving this in Planned state though because we hope to do a TinyMCE (our embedded editor) upgrade this summer which we believe will include a built-in equation builder so that you won't need to know the syntax or have to use a third party editor and then cut and paste. TinyMCE has this in Beta I believe so hopefully then it will be even easier for you all. But glad to hear it's at least getting you there!

  • Jon Gray commented
    16 May, 2020 12:49pm

    All: Blackbaud (I do not known when) integrated LaTeX type math input for inline math. It is an absolutely beautiful thing and is robust enough that I was able to administer a multi variable calculus exam entirely through the Assessment feature.

    If you are unfamiliar with LaTeX, I suggest you learn it. It is fairly easy. To get you started, go make a fake assessment, and in your first question put

    $\sqrt{x_1^2+x_2^2}$

    Then preview the assignment. The LaTeX even works in the answer parts for a multiple choice question. THANK YOU BLACKBAUD. You all need to advertise this feature left and right.

  • Heather Davis commented
    8 May, 2020 06:01pm

    Math and science teachers desperately need Math Type as part of the Assessment feature of OnCampus. I am so limited by the type of questions I can use gracias of this. I desperately need some type of equation editor or Math Type feature in your assessments/discussions.

  • Andrew Gargano commented
    25 Apr, 2020 12:45am

    Our Math Teachers are also frustrated that you cannot easily enter Math Notation directly into the assessments. As such they tend to create links to other things such as Microsoft Forms. It would be much easier and less time-consuming if the assessments had an equation editor.

  • Carolyn Stevens commented
    24 Apr, 2020 10:24pm

    Yes, please here too!

  • Geoffrey Goodfellow commented
    14 Apr, 2020 09:26pm

    All the increased remote learning from COVID-19 has increased the number of teachers using assessments. My math teachers are frustrated that it is not easy to add math formulas to questions stems or answer choices. They want a formula builder that is as easy as the one they use in MS Office.

  • Mindy Adair commented
    14 Apr, 2020 02:03pm

    Yes please!!!!

  • Paul Mlakar commented
    13 Apr, 2020 01:39pm

    That would be great. Obviously, the sooner that might be available, the better. Thanks for updating this topic request.

    ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Paul Mlakar
    Director of Academic Information Systems | Scheduler
    Mathematics Teacher | Academic Team Coach | SAT/ACT Site Supervisor

    St. Mark's School of Texas
    10600 Preston Road | Dallas, TX 75230
    214.346.8451 | MLAKARP@smtexas.org

    [StMarksLogo]

  • Angela Addison commented
    13 Apr, 2020 01:06pm

    The good news, is that TinyMCE which is the embedded text editor we use has a formula builder in beta in their latest version and we have an upgrade for that tool planned for this summer so hopefully we can enable that as well when we get that in.

  • Paul Mlakar commented
    13 Apr, 2020 12:44pm

    Hi, Angela. I think the main issue needing addressed is having a math input panel available to students and teachers throughout the assessment tool. It should be integrated into all of the current assessment types that are available.
    Best,
    Paul

    ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Paul Mlakar
    Director of Academic Information Systems | Scheduler
    Mathematics Teacher | Academic Team Coach | SAT/ACT Site Supervisor

    St. Mark's School of Texas
    10600 Preston Road | Dallas, TX 75230
    214.346.8451 | MLAKARP@smtexas.org

    [StMarksLogo]

  • Angela Addison commented
    11 Apr, 2020 10:52pm

    are you asking for the ability to ask a question and have students submit an equation (not multiple choice, not select the right equation, not as an essay question) answer and have the system know that it is the right equation?

  • guest commented
    6 Apr, 2020 08:25pm

    I agree with Mr.Mlakar. An equation editor is needed. Please make the needed adjustments to help math/science teachers especially now that we have to provide online education.

  • Paul Mlakar commented
    25 Mar, 2020 10:08pm

    Hi, Angela. Yes, I���ve cut and paste from Mathtype. But my students don���t have Mathtype, and they don���t have a way to communicate math symbols in their essay responses, or free responses. How do you get a student to write in sigma notation, or to express a definite integral, in their answers? It���s impossible���

    ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Paul Mlakar
    Director of Academic Information Systems | Scheduler
    Mathematics Teacher | Academic Team Coach | SAT/ACT Site Supervisor

    St. Mark's School of Texas
    10600 Preston Road | Dallas, TX 75230
    214.346.8451 | MLAKARP@smtexas.org

    [StMarksLogo]

  • Angela Addison commented
    25 Mar, 2020 05:02pm

    I downloaded Mathtype and copied/pasted my equation into the html editor in my assessment question and it rendered properly have you tried that? I used the MathML 2.0 (no namespace) option in copy/paste preferences in Mathtype. Have you tried that?

  • Paul Mlakar commented
    20 Mar, 2020 02:01pm

    ...or Wiris Quizzes, which is built on the MathType platform.

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