Maple T.A. User Guide - Maplesoft

xviii • Preface
problem one step at a time, try the same question again for reduced credit, or whatever else the instructor feels is appropriate.
Key features:
• Adaptive questions allow students to try the same question more than once, in different ways, so they can learn to
do the problem, not just learn that they cannot do it.
• Instructors can use adaptive questions to provide additional guidance to only those students who are having difficulties
while still allowing more advanced students to obtain credit for their greater understanding.
• The flexible question format allows the instructor complete control over what kind of question and information the
student is presented with when they give an incorrect response, including step-by-step solutions, alternate problems,
hints for the original problem, and more.
• Students can be given partial credit when they correctly respond to some or all of the alternate problem, such as
when they successfully complete some of the steps of the solution.
• Adaptive questions allow penalty deductions for repeated attempts.
• The Adaptive Question Designer guides the instructor through the creation of adaptive questions, so even complex
multi-step questions are easy to build.
• The instructor can control the behavior of the question, including when a new version or solution step appears, the
number of attempts that are allowed at each stage, if the correct answer should be displayed after the problem has
been attempted the maximum number of times, when to move onto the next question in the assignment, and more.
For more information, see Adaptive Questions (page 171).
Secure the Testing Environment Using the Maple T.A. Proctored Browser
The internet provides useful information and tools to students, but when they are taking a test or doing a graded assignment,
instructors sometimes wish it was not quite so easy to access. With Maple T.A. 8, instructors can declare the
internet and local computer programs off-limits by requiring students to take their test or assignment in the Maple T.A.
Proctored Browser.
• When using the Maple T.A. Proctored Browser, students must stay inside the Maple T.A. environment until the test
or assignment is completed. They cannot access other web sites or programs.
• Instructors can require the use of the Maple T.A. Proctored Browser through a simple check box in the assignment
policies.
• The Maple T.A. Proctored Browser can be installed on lab computers in advance, or students can download and install
it themselves.
For more information, see Requiring Use of the Proctored Browser (page 47).
Take Advantage of More Security, More Mathematical Power
Other improvements in Maple T.A. 8 include enhancements that make it easier to ensure that each student is taking
their own test, as well as new assignment options and an even stronger mathematical engine.
• The student’s name and ID appears at the top of every page, so supervisors can ensure the correct student is taking
the correct test.
• Instructors can require that students access Maple T.A. from a given list of IP addresses, to ensure students can take
assignments only from approved computers or labs.
• Summary information, including student identification, is visible at all times, even during scrolling.
• A new assignment property allows the cumulative assignment score to appear at the top of the page as the student
takes the assignment, so students can monitor their progress as they go.
• New tools allow system administrators to monitor individual Maple T.A. software components.