Student Profiles

What are student profiles?

Some people say mathematics is the same everywhere. However, this is not true for details such as mathematical notation. For example, decimal numbers, intervals, and logarithms are written differently in different regions of the world.

On a didactical level, the differences are even more evident. For instance:

Hints and error feedback must be in the local language
Junior students need different hints than senior students
Solution strategies can differ between curriculums

Algebrakit must behave consistently with the local curriculum. That is why you must indicate the type of student the exercise is for. This 'student type' is what we call a Student Profile. Examples of student profiles are:

In the United States:
- Middle school, high school, or higher university
- Common Core or Texas State Standards, etc
In Germany:
- Mittelschule, Realschule, Gymnasium, etc
In Belgium:
- Flanders or Wallonia,
- Grades 1, 2, or 3.

Example

The example below shows the same question using four different student profiles. Not only languages are different. For instance, the Dutch solution solves the equation first. Belgium students write the solution as a solution set. Note also the different notation for intervals in the Belgian solution.

Selecting the student profile

The student profile applies to everything in the exercise. That's why you select it in the top bar, which contains the general settings.

Selecting the student profile Figure: Selecting the student profile

Which student profiles are available depends on your situation. You will typically see student profiles for the school types and levels in your country.

What behavior is related to the student profile

The student profile influences the didactical behavior of Algebrakit, such as:

Notation:
- Decimal dot or a decimal comma for decimal numbers
- A dot ( $\cdot$ ) or times ( $\times$ ) for multiplication
- Notation of intervals and logarithms
- Whether there should be brackets around negative numbers when multiplying
Solution approach:
- For inequalities
- For factoring of quadratic expressions
- Whether power rules are allowed to simplify expressions
Language:
- Of generated hints and feedback
- Of buttons in the question types
Other behavior:
- Small or large steps in worked solutions
- Whether student must rewrite improper fractions into mixed form
- Whether students must write roots in normal form
- Whether the solution of equalities and inequalities should be written as a solution set

This list is not exhaustive.

Requesting changes to a student profile

If changes are needed to meet the didactical requirements in your country, then these must be configured in the student profile. Such adjustments are done by Algebrakit.

If you believe a change is needed in the student profile configuration, you should contact your Algebrakit application manager.