A NEW ADAPTIVE

LEARNING SOFTWARE
Math Department: Precalculus, Calculus & Stats
 Table of Contents

1. Why a New Program? 3. Let’s Talk

List of why teachers and students Discuss which options sound
do not prefer our previously used promising/which options are
and current programs worth pursuing

2. Our Options 4. Conclusion

List of potential new Summarize which options we prefer,
programs which options we will look into further,
and who can help with the search
 01
WHY A NEW
PROGRAM?
Pros and Cons of our
Previous Programs
 What we DIDN’T like:
Cons of
WebAssign
● Very rigid, entirely
dependant on the book
that you pick
● Didn’t use to offer
explanations for
problems
Cons of
Aleks
● No textbook - have to
teach from the topics
● Previously did not have
good problem selection
for upper-level math
classes
● Students always
procrastinate on topics
Cons of
KnewtonAlta
● Rigid assignments - not
customizable at all (did not
have an option to select our
own problems until the very
end of the 2019-20 school
year)
● Problem sets are very
challenging (college-level)
● Majority of problems are
multiple choice
● Scaffolding algorithm was
not conducive to student
learning (many students
would get to a point where
they needed to answer 50+
questions but were not
making progress on the
overall assignment)
Cons of
Edfinity
● Answers don’t have to be
fully simplified
● Problems not the best for
the students (look very
different from the
problems on the notes,
even though the
questions are based on
the textbook supposedly)
● Only one course per prep
(settings not great for
block schedule)
● No work required -
students can use apps to
get the answers
 What we DID like:
Pros of Pros of
WebAssign Aleks
● Plain and simple - assign ● Insights & statistics - nice
problems for students to to see which problems
complete are missed on
assessments
● Customizable (can assign
something to just one
Pros of student)
● Has prerequisite features
KnewtonAlta ● Graphing problems
● Canvas integration ● Topics - provides
● Automatic grading scaffolding/additional
support (explanations &
answers)
Pros of
Edfinity
● Answers don’t have to be
fully simplified
● Variations in problems
● Automatic grading
● Assignments are editable
● Problem types are not
easily scanned by
PhotoMath/MathWay/etc.
 Student Survey
Students were asked which program they preferred and why. A majority of students
preferred Edfinity over Aleks (details on next slide).
 Student Survey: Aleks vs. Edfinity
Student responses and explanations
Cons of Aleks:
● Do not like topics (don’t like how
they need to answer 3 questions
correctly to master a topic)
● More likely to procrastinate on
assignments since it is all due at
the end of the chapter
Pros of Aleks:
● Really like explanations for
problems
● Students are comfortable with
it because they’ve used it in
previous classes
Cons of Edfinity:
● Very glitchy
● Not mobile-friendly/not
split-screen friendly on iPad
● Does not provide explanations
for problems
● No graphing practice
Pros of Edfinity:
● Like the structure - there is a
finite amount of problems per
assignment
 WHAT WOULD OUR IDEAL
PROGRAM HAVE?
● Utilizes OpenStax textbook
● Can be integrated into Canvas
● Adaptive learning software - not just online
Our “worksheets”
○ Contains explanations/feedback for
Wish students
● Customizable - editing assignments,
List adding our own problems, etc.
● No multiple choice questions - students
need to type in numerical answers
 02
OUR
OPTIONS
Potential New
Programs
 WHOA!
67
There are web-based

platforms that utilize the

OpenStax textbooks!
 17 Filters
Yielded 3 options: eMath & CogBooks & KnewtonAlta
 Filters Used for My
Search
The following are the filters I applied on the OpenStax site to narrow my search. All
filters reflected “wish list” items we want in a new program.

● Integrated with OpenStax Textbooks: Precalc, Calculus, Introductory Statistics, HS

Statistics, Algebra and Trigonometry
● System generates multiple versions of quantitative questions
● Ability for instructor to control adaptivity and personalization
● Customized learning paths based on student input
● Ability to offer variation in level of content and/or depth of coverage
● Adaptive presentation of content based on learner goals
● Ability to edit assignments with no coding required
● Ability to include multimedia content in assignments or assessments
● Offers pre-tests that give students feedback
● Ability to measure student’s level of understanding
● Multiple-step feedback for students
● Early warning system for instructors identifying students with performance issues
 The Options:
CogBooks
Only for OpenStax Intro to Statistics
Geared towards college students
KnewtonAlta
We used this for the 2019-20 school
year
Did not like it previously due to the
types of problems and inability to
customize assignments. Now
instructors can customize and
create their own assignments using
the KnewtonAlta problems or write
their own problems.
The Options: Continued

Aleks
Precalculus now utilizes OpenStax
textbook
Does not use OpenStax for other
eMath
Looks to be the most promising option
Our Vision: Building the most teacher, student,
and outcome centric learning technology
company.

courses (yet) Our Mission: Enable students to master any

subject they want to so they can be the best they
can and pursue their dreams
 eMath:
● Integrated with
OpenStax Precalculus,
Click on the picture to see the website!
Calculus, & Statistics
● Adaptive learning, and
editable for each
assignment (we can
choose/edit student
aides for each
assignment)
● Very customizable for
instructors
 Non-OpenStax Option: MyOpenMath
● Free!
● Can be integrated with
Click on the picture to see the website! Canvas
● Good problem sets for
Precalculus & Calculus,
minimal information
about Stats
● Has been adopted by
several community
colleges
● Some of the pre-built
course only include
online homework, while
others include videos,
handouts, and instructor
resources.
Our Options:

Edfinity eMath MyOpenmath Continue Looking

1. 2. 3. 4.

Continue to use Look into If we’re not

Look into eMath
Edfinity with MyOpenMath satisfied with
further and get
modifications/ further and get these options, we
more info on how
supplements for more info on how can continue the
it can be
another year to it can be search!
integrated into
see how it goes integrated into
our classes.
our classes.
DISCUSSION Which
option
you p do
TIME! refer?
Why?
Next Steps for the Search:

1. 3.
If a new program Notify Sam for
is chosen, look budget/contract with
into trials for that school
program

2. 4.
If a new program is Decide on
chosen, identify a timeline for next
couple of teachers to steps as a team
help look through
sample problems.
Potential Timeline for Adopting a New Program
Review info from
eMath,
Reach out to Sam
MyOpenMath, or
Meeting to RE: contract with
other and click
discuss options eMath (or other)
through trials
4/21 5/19

Today
5/5 5/26
4/14 Reach out to Update meeting
eMath, RE: progress with
MyOpenMath, or eMath,
other for more MyOpenMath, or
information/trials other
 Thank you for
your
collaboration!
Please complete a brief survey
before you leave! (Linked HERE)