New Learning Module Implemented into Multistep Problems on D2L

Aiming to enhance the way students have learned multistep problems, Dr. John V. Cabage, an assistant professor in the school of technology, has developed a method he believes will accomplish this goal. Using randomized variable problems (each student receiving a different homework problem), he believes that he has a 

cheat-proof and a highly interactive way for students to learn mathematical problems. 

Despite the constraints, he aspires for this program to help students collaborate more frequently and gain a greater knowledge of the content. 

Used within D2L, the multistep problems are provided for each corresponding chapter alongside to an instructional video that provides guidance on how to approach the problem.  

With the successful implementation of the multistep mathematical problems, Dr. Cabage intends to incorporate another idea into D2L: LTI. An LTI, short for learning tools interoperability, will take information from outside programming and put into a format for D2L to recognize. Then, he would link the outside program with the multistep problem. He would then be able to put it into PHP, C++, or any other various programming or scripting languages that he would choose for D2L.  With the intention of moving the LTI forward, he hopes to have a graduate assistant to assist with the production of this idea. 

Dr. Cabage feels this project is unique because it is an idea that is new to the School of Technology’s learning management system; furthermore, he also believes that this program will allow students to learn from their mistakes because it would be easier to track the mistakes in calculations for particular problems. 

In addition to locating mistakes, he hopes this program will aid in the student learning at a more realistic pace. Of course, the pace would be highly dependent on the student’s timeliness and work ethic. 

Along with the recent implementation of the multistep mathematical problems beginning in June 2015, he intends to see results within a year. 

For information regarding this story, please contact: jvcabage@eiu.edu