novelMath

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Inspiration

Throughout the Covid19 process, schools were vacated and students remained out of education. To overcome this shortcoming, lesson videos were prepared by the ministry of education and these were served to students on television or on the Internet. However, students are still having a hard time learning mathematics, which is a lesson they have difficulties. When they solve a problem incorrectly, they are deprived of a teacher who will show them the truth. Test questions showing only the correct answer are also insufficient to provide full learning. For this reason, students need a system that directs them when they cannot reach their teachers. On the other hand, it is also important to keep the students motivated and keep their interests alive for a long time in quarantine and falling mode. We thought that a system that the student can learn while having fun and does not leave him alone during the problem solving process may be useful.

What it does

NovelMath is a math learning platform. This system can be used in the classroom with teacher guidance, and is available to students in the absence of a teacher. The student can access this system from anywhere with an internet connection via his tablet or computer. NovelMath is a platform that accompanies the student to learn mathematics. Here, first of all, the subject is summarized in visual novel format and then it continues with a scenario chosen by the student. The student who encounters the problems is asked to understand the problem first, then try to solve it and explain what they have learned from the problem if they can. Then he is asked to develop this problem. These problems, called non-routine problems, include more than one solution method or result. Not all solutions are the same, because some solutions are more useful. The student gets points according to the quality of the solution he made. In addition, the abstraction of the student from the problem is scored according to the level. These items are evaluated using a technique called rubrics (graded scoring key). If the student has trouble solving a problem, the system asks him for similar problems in different ways and forces the student to achieve the minimum gain.

How we built it

All student-problem interactions are turned into a mini puzzle working independently from the device with the help of the game engine (GODOT). In the classical method, interactions are created with the help of scripting language (GDScript) from the cell or row / column selections over the matrix that cannot be expressed. The student can customize their choices with the created methods and assign functions to them. The student develops the solution strategy by creating a software interaction series in this maneuver area provided to him. All entered interactions are recorded in a universal data exchange format such as JSON, for later use in measurement and evaluation, with information such as type, order and duration. All solutions contained in rubrics are algorithmic, measurable and most importantly a function of the student's type and order. The measurement and evaluation application, which will be developed with Blazor and webassembly technologies to be able to operate independently from the operating system and device, and which will be accessible to the teacher, collects data from the student terminals that includes solution strategies for the problem. By comparing the patterns and similarities in this data with rubrics, which solution is calculated and the student is evaluated. All data collected by the student during the school year is kept in a cloud service such as Azure. Measurement-evaluation software is visualized with open source dashboard libraries such as FreeBoard and Graphana and presents it to the teacher on an individual and classroom basis. Concrete competence evidence is defined for each acquisition. By sorting software solution strategies in terms of quality, error rate, completion time, it identifies the deficiencies and weaknesses of the students. Until the student gains the minimum qualification level, he encounters problems of the related type more frequently.

Challenges we run into

First of all, the most difficult point was to produce scenarios and problems suitable for student level. In addition, it is not easy to create a system that collects student data and reveals the real level of the student. For this, it is necessary to create the right tools and software.

What we learned

While designing this system, we researched and learned how the previously used systems work. In addition, we learned that the most challenging course for students all over the world is mathematics lesson and that the success in this lesson can increase thanks to the appropriate learning environment.

Accomplishment that we are proud of

We have observed that the systems used in distance education only tell the subject or focus on the student to choose the right option. However, in our system, it is also important that the student summarizes the solution method and what they have learned from the problem. In addition, the system chase the student until the student has achieved the necessary acquisition. This system brings the student closer to full learning and further improves his mathematical skills.

What's next for novelMath

In the Covid 19 process, we focused only on middle school 6th grade and mathematics lessons. In the future, this system can be used in all classes and all different courses.