Presenter Profiles &
Presentation Abstracts
2015 Maple T.A. User Summit
Keynote Address: From 5 to 50 to Free
Prof. Steven Furino, Associate Dean
Undergraduate, Faculty of Mathematics, University of Waterloo
Profile
Steven Furino is the Associate Dean for Undergraduate Studies in the Faculty of Mathematics at the University of
Waterloo. He is a winner of the university’s Distinguished Teaching Award. He is also the director of the Faculty’s online
efforts and has been heavily involved in online courses since 2010.
Abstract
Different learning styles. Individualized support in large classes. The need for better student preparation before
university and remedial support while at university. The desire for enrichment material. Study opportunities while offcampus. Outreach.
All of these were prominent factors in 2010 when the Faculty of Mathematics at the University of Waterloo began
a large, informal experiment in online education in mathematics. The result of some of that work is now available
at http://courseware.cemc.uwaterloo.ca. This marks the beginning of the release of free and publicly available
courseware which embeds narrated exposition, self-assessment with immediate and automated evaluation,
experiments with STEM objects, exercises and enrichment opportunities. Over the next two years, courseware in linear
algebra, probability and statistics, computer science and optimization will be available.
Maple T.A. underlies both the deployment and the self-assessment opportunities. The presentation will describe
the successes and the lessons learned. It will also preview the Möbius Project, a new technology developed in
collaboration with Maplesoft that, we hope, makes authoring and sharing STEM courseware dramatically easier.
Deploying Maple T.A. in Third Party Applications: A Look Inside Thinkwell
Carl Tyson, CEO, and Pavol Chalupka, CTO, Thinkwell
Profile
Carl Tyson is Thinkwell’s Chief Executive Officer. He joined the company in 1999 and has enjoyed more than thirty
years in college publishing. Prior to Thinkwell, Carl was the President of the college divisions at McGraw-Hill and
Harcourt Brace. He is the author of eight books and more than twenty articles on the history of the American West.
Carl received a Ph.D in Western American History from Oklahoma State University.
Pavol Chalupka is VP of Technology at Thinkwell. Palo designed and built the platform, course management, and
back-end systems at Thinkwell. His background in educational software began more than a decade ago at the
Princeton Review where he helped build one of the first adaptive testing environments online.
Abstract
How important is content presentation? Do we lose students with every extra click of a mouse they must make in
order to access their course materials? At Thinkwell, we believe presentation is an essential part of facilitating great
learning experiences.
By combining multiple learning tools and learning materials, we have created a single, integrated learning environment
for each of our online courses. Thinkwell uses Maple T.A. for online assessment and tightly integrates it with the rest
of our learning solutions. In seeking to present materials in a more consistent and user-friendly way, we’ve employed
Maple T.A.’s standard API to integrate question content and assignment data directly within our product.
Thinkwell is a publishing company from Austin, specializing in providing full-featured courseware and learning services
to schools and universities across the globe.
University of Turin: Using Maple T.A. and Moodle for a Richer Learning Experience
Prof. Marina Marchisio, Professor of Geometry &
Dr. Alice Barana, Research Grant-Holder, University of Turin
Profile
Marina Marchisio is professor of Geometry at the Department of Mathematics at the University of Turin. She also does
research in e-learning, particularly the role of integrated platforms in learning scientific subjects. From 2014 she is the
coordinator of the E-learning Commission of the University of Turin. From 2012 she is responsible for Italian Ministry of
Education, Research and University’s project “Problem Posing and Solving”, whose principal aim is innovation in the
learning of mathematics in high school.
Alice Barana graduated in Mathematics from the University of Turin in April 2014. She holds a grant, funded by
the Goria Foundation, for the research project: “The role of integrated e-learning platforms in training and learning
processes for the achievement of mathematical and digital competences”. In particular, she is interested in automatic
assessment. She holds several training courses for teachers to introduce the use of Maple T.A. as an evaluation tool in
their classes.
Abstract
Maple T.A. as an assessment tool can become even more effective if inserted in a learning management system.
Enriching and completing a learning journey was the objective of the University of Turin, Department of Mathematics
and Department of Computer Science, when Maple T.A. was made available in all the Moodle courses through
Maplesoft’s Moodle-Maple T.A. integration. It provides the automatic association of a Maple T.A. class to each Moodle
course, and the enrolment of all Moodle users to Maple T.A., which helps them maintain their roles. Maple T.A.
assignments can be inserted in Moodle courses as normal activities.
The integration of Moodle with Maple T.A. is adopted in all the platforms implemented by the University of Turin,
including those made available to the projects managed by the Department of Mathematics, and covering all stages
of education from primary school to teacher’s training. It is also adopted in the Italian Ministry of Education’s Problem
Posing and Solving project, which involves all maths high school teachers.
Scenarios for Adaptive Testing
Ir. Meta.A. Keijzer-de Ruijter, Consultant for IT in Education, TU Delft University
Profile
Meta Keijzer-de Ruijter graduated from the faculty of chemical engineering at TU Delft in 1992. After working in the
chemical industry for several years she studied corporate education at FCE. In 2004 she returned to TU Delft as
the head of the computer training department. Soon after, she developed the digital testing system at the university,
overseeing software selection, establishment of a support organization, teacher training and computer exam rooms.
Now she focuses on the use of advanced features in Maple T.A., and the development of in-house expertise in these
advanced features.
Abstract
Maple T.A. offers opportunities for creating adaptive scenarios in testing that can be used for both formative and
summative testing. In a formative setting, a student can be taken through the process of solving a problem step by
step. Whilst in a summative setting the student gets the chance to show what parts of the problem he masters, if it
turns out that he is not successful in solving the problem completely in the first attempt. In addition, the use of Maple
T.A. in a game about ‘Dynamics’ will be discussed. This involves the use of adaptive assignments.
Maple T.A. + Maple + Seamless ‘Integration’ of Technology and Traditional Teaching in
Calculus. And ‘Mobification’ Too!
Prof. Jack Weiner, Professor Emeritus, University of Guelph
Profile
Jack Weiner is Professor Emeritus in the Department of Mathematics and Statistics at the University of Guelph,
in Guelph, Ontario (Canada). He has over 40 years of experience teaching mathematics from elementary to postsecondary. He has won many teaching awards, including the University of Guelph’s Professorial Teaching Award and
the Ontario Confederation of University Faculty Association’s Teaching Award. In Maclean’s Magazine annual Canadawide university survey, he was listed as a “Popular Prof” eight years out of nine. Jack is the author of the Mathematics
Survival Kit (MSK), which is now in its third edition. Currently, he is preparing the third edition of the Maplesoft’s
interactive e-book version of the MSK.
Abstract
Jack, a professor at the University of Guelph, spent several years integrating Maple and Maple T.A. into classes ranging
in size from 12 to 600. He endeavored to combine the best of technology with the best of traditional teaching. In this
talk, he will give examples from Maple T.A. and Maple, together with proven teaching strategies and some novel new
ones that energized his classroom. And he will introduce the next step--’Mobification’ of this package.
Keynote Address: Mathematical Association of America
Using Research to Shape Placement Tests and Curriculum
Prof. Marilyn P. Carlson, Professor, School of Mathematical and Statistical Sciences, Arizona State
University and Dr. Caren Diefenderfer, Ph.D., Department of Mathematics, Statistics, and Computer
Science, Chair, Hollins University
Profile
Marilyn P. Carlson is currently a professor in the School of Mathematical and Statistical Sciences at Arizona State
University. She has published over 50 research articles about student learning and teaching of key ideas in precalculus
and beginning calculus. She has developed professional development, student curriculum, and assessment
instruments that leverage this knowledge. Her current research focus is on mathematical knowledge and meanings
as they relate to teacher instructional goals and teaching practices. Marilyn has received funding from the National
Science Foundation for her research and outreach work with teachers. Her current NSF grant, Project Pathways, is
working in over 20 secondary schools, community colleges, and universities to support improvements in curriculum
and student learning in algebra I, algebra II, precalculus and calculus. She was the Coordinator of the MAA Special
Interest Group for Research in Mathematics Education, and co-edited the MAA Volume, Making the Connection:
Research to Practice in Mathematics Education. She received an NSF CAREER award to study student learning in
calculus. In 2007 she received the MAA Selden Award for Research in Undergraduate Mathematics Education and in
2012 she received the outstanding doctoral mentor award at Arizona State University.
Caren Diefenderfer has been a member of the Mathematics Department at Hollins University in Roanoke, VA for over
30 years. She worked for the College Board and ETS as the Chief Reader of AP Calculus from 2004-2007 and during
that time was a member of the Calculus Test Development Committee. She was instrumental in establishing Hollins’
Quantitative Reasoning program and has been a consultant to many institutions as they think about introducing
quantitative reasoning/literacy on their campuses. Caren has been active with the Mathematical Association of America
(MAA) and is currently the governor of the MD-DC-VA section. She was the chair of the MAA’s Special Interest Group
on Quantitative Literacy (SIGMAA QL) and also the chair of SIGMAA on the Teaching of Advanced High School
mathematics (TAHSM). In addition, she was the President of the National Numeracy Network (NNN) from 2011-2013.
Her publications focus on topics in test development, the calculus curriculum, and quantitative reasoning. She has
received numerous Hollins awards for service and for scholarship. She recently received the 2015 John M. Smith
Teaching Award from the MD-DC-Virginia section of the MAA.
Abstract
There is a broad body of research reporting key understandings and foundational reasoning abilities (e.g., Carlson &
Rasmussen, 2008) students need to understand and be successful in calculus. Some projects (e.g., Project Pathways
at Arizona State University) have leveraged these findings to inform the development of curriculum (e.g., Pathways
Precalculus) and mathematics assessment tools such as the Precalculus Concept Assessment (PCA) (Carlson,
Oehrtman and Engelke, 2005), Calculus Concept Readiness (CCR) (Carlson, Madison and West, in press) and the
Algebra, Precalculus Concept Readiness (APCR) (Madison, Carlson, Oehrtman & Tallman, accepted) exams. In this
session we will present a broad taxonomy of key understandings and reasoning abilities that guided the development
of these exams, and are needed for learning calculus. We will illustrate how this taxonomy of key ideas and reasoning
abilities informed the initial development and adaptation of research based placement tests and curriculum.
Comparison data that reveals qualitative differences in student learning in precalculus will be shared along with data
that reveals how assessment results can be used to shape and adapt curriculum.
You like the idea, but then what? T.A. Content Authoring and Implementation at
University of Waterloo
Tonya Noël, Online Learning Consultant and Extending Learning Math Rep, University of Waterloo
Profile
Tonya Noël is an Online Learning Consultant (OLC) with the University of Waterloo’s Centre for Extended Learning and
has been helping design fully online courses and programs since 2006. As an OLC, she provides project management
and instructional design expertise to various fully online projects – most of which have been math related in the recent
past. Tonya is talking on behalf of several of her colleagues and would like to thank Paul Kates, Sean Scott, Tim Zhou,
Rachael Verbruggen, Stephen Tosh, and Mark Stewart for their assistance in putting this presentation together.
Abstract
Between September 2007 and August 2014, more than 100,000 University of Waterloo students completed an
assignment inside of Maple T.A. This number continues to grow exponentially as we work with Maplesoft to improve
our fully online and blended courses, develop high school outreach resources, move some of our online math courses
to an open space, and create a content authoring tool specifically targeted to those in a STEM-related discipline.
This presentation will summarize how we transform ideas into tangible learning objects and discuss some of the
implementation challenges we’ve encountered and overcome (or encountered and are still trying to overcome) over the
years.
Using Maple T.A. to Improve Student Success and Course Alignment
G. Michael Guy, Department of Mathematics & Computer Science, Queensborough Community College
Profile
G. Michael Guy is a professor of mathematics at a CUNY community college. In his role in the CUNY Central Office
of Institutional Research and Assessment, he is the University Mathematics Assessment Specialist charged with
overseeing the CUNY Elementary Algebra Final Exam. This final exam is administered CUNY-wide to more than 20,000
students each year via Maple T.A. His interests include developmental mathematics pedagogy, policy, and college &
career readiness in K-12. He earned his PhD in Mathematics from the University of Georgia.
Abstract
Each semester more than 15,000 students take remedial Elementary Algebra CUNY-wide. Unfortunately, fewer than
45% of these students pass the course. As a result, there is significant interest in improving these outcomes. This talk
will highlight a small, but growing pilot aimed at improving the learning opportunities for these students. Maple T.A. is
a fundamental component of this pilot that also features a new Open Educational Resource textbook, My Math GPS:
Elementary Algebra Guided Problem Solving, and carefully aligned assessments. Based on preliminary analyses, the
odds of passing the course in this pilot are three times the odds as other students.
This talk will highlight a use of Maple T.A. applicable to any instructor who wishes to help their students turn
assessments into enriching learning opportunities. Jonathan Cornick and Karan Puri are collaborators on this project.
European SMART Project Adopts Maple T.A.
Prof. Alberto Conte, President of Academy of Sciences and Prof. Marina Marchisio, Professor of Geometry,
University of Turin
Profile
Alberto Conte has taught Higher Geometry at University of Turin for 50 years. He has published more than 150
research papers in Algebraic Geometry, Computational Algebra and History of Mathematics. He is Emeritus Professor
and the President of Academy of Sciences at the University of Turin.
Marina Marchisio is professor of Geometry at the Department of Mathematics at the University of Turin. She also does
research in e-learning, particularly the role of integrated platforms in learning scientific subjects. From 2014 she is the
coordinator of the E-learning Commission of the University of Turin. From 2012 she is responsible for Italian Ministry of
Education, Research and University’s project “Problem Posing and Solving”, whose principal aim is innovation in the
learning of mathematics in high school.
Abstract
The European SMART (Science and Mathematics Advanced Research for Good Teaching) Project is run by the
Italian Ministry of Education in cooperation with other international partners from Sweden (Chalmers University), the
Netherlands (TU Delft), Germany (Saint Thomas School), Hungary (Radnoti School) and Italy (Carlo Anti, University
of Turin, University of Rome3, Academy of Sciences, Confindustria). It is aimed at developing initiatives to promote
innovation, exchange of experiences and know-how between different types of organizations in more fields of
education and training. The principal objectives include improving professional competences, and supporting
innovation in the teachers’ system of training. It also aims to provide tools and methodologies to facilitate the
acquisition of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) skills.
SMART adopted Maple T.A. and Maple already being used by some of the partners. One of the intellectual outputs of
the Project is the construction of two open online courses for Mathematics and Science teachers, containing different
modules based on the adoption of innovative technologies like Maple and Maple T.A. These courses help teachers to
acquire mathematical and scientific competences, and are aimed at teaching that supports the students’ learning with
constant formative assessment.
Maplesoft Presentations
Maplesoft’s Education Vision
Jim Cooper, President and CEO, Maplesoft
Profile
Jim Cooper has successfully built Maplesoft into the world’s premier advanced mathematics, modeling and simulation
software provider. He is responsible for the company’s financial performance, and oversees all aspects of the
company’s operations, including strategic business planning, product direction as well as sales and marketing. Jim
brings over 20 years of experience in corporate management of advanced technology business ventures to his role as
President and CEO.
Abstract
Maplesoft is changing the way educators meet today’s challenges of adopting new technologies in the classroom.
From online assessments to entire course delivery methods, Maplesoft has the tools that educators need to succeed
with these challenging changes. Jim’s presentation will lay out Maplesoft’s vision for developing technology and tools
that empower educators and allow students to explore rich online math-based visualizations and applications.
Maple T.A.: Today and the Future
Jonny Zivku, Product Manager, Maple T.A.
Profile
Jonny Zivku earned his BMath in Combinatorics & Optimization and Pure Mathematics from the University of Waterloo.
He has been with Maplesoft since 2009 and is currently the Product Manager of Maple T.A. His previous roles included
working with the Technical Support team, the Quality Assurance team, and the Project Management team.
Abstract
This presentation will focus on new features present in the latest release of Maple T.A. and it’s corresponding service
packs, and will provide a sneak peek into what to expect in the next major release of Maple T.A.
Theme 1: Connecting Maple T.A. to Other Applications - Topic Introduction
Jonny Zivku, Product Manager, Maple T.A.
Profile
Jonny Zivku earned his BMath in Combinatorics & Optimization and Pure Mathematics from the University of Waterloo.
He has been with Maplesoft since 2009 and is currently the Product Manager of Maple T.A. His previous roles included
working with the Technical Support team, the Quality Assurance team, and the Project Management team.
Abstract
This presentation will explore how the use of Maple T.A. can be enriched by integrating it into an existing course
management system using a pre-built connector, our API, or the soon to be released LTI connector.
Theme 2: Adaptive Questions & Testing - Topic Introduction
Carl Hickman, Senior Developer, Maplesoft
Profile
Carl Hickman holds a Ph.D. degree in Mathematics from Dalhousie University in Halifax, Canada. He has taught at the
university level and has been with Maplesoft since 2007. He is currently a senior developer on the Maple T.A. team.
Abstract
This talk will explore Maple T.A.’s capabilities in creating and delivering questions and assignments that can adapt and
tailor themselves to the student’s ability level.
Theme 3: Online STEM Education - Topic Introduction
Aron Pasieka, Product Manager, Möbius
Profile
Aron Pasieka holds a Ph.D. in physics from the University of Guelph in Guelph, Canada. He is experienced in teaching
and developing curricula at the university level. A grant to produce and evaluate mathematics-based online course
content led to an internship with Maplesoft, followed by a Content Developer position. Currently, Aron is the Product
Manager for Möbius.
Abstract
Online educational resources are becoming a necessity, but building and maintaining student engagement is a
significant challenge for both instructors and institutions. The specialized requirements of science, technology,
engineering and mathematics, or STEM, make producing and delivering effective online courses an even larger
struggle. In this presentation, we will introduce Maplesoft’s new platform for online courseware development and
delivery that will help instructors and institutions face these challenges.
Theme 4: Placement Testing - Topic Introduction
Louise Krmpotic, Director, Business Development and Content Authoring, Maplesoft
Profile
Louise Krmpotic earned her Bachelor of Mathematics and Masters of Mathematics from the University of Waterloo,
Canada. She also holds a Bachelor of Education from Althouse College, the Faculty of Education at the University of
Western Ontario in London, Ontario. At Maplesoft, Louise has been responsible for several key initiatives, from product
development to training and content development. She currently oversees key relationships with higher-education
publishers and is responsible for finding and developing new business opportunities.
Abstract
What is placement testing? What is the Maple T.A. MAA Placement Test Suite? How does it work and how are people
using it? What can it do beyond placing students in the right courses?
Placement tests are designed to determine which course a student should take. The Maple T.A. MAA Placement Test
Suite combines two very important features: content developed and tested by the MAA in educational institutions, and
a flexible, customizable delivery platform. In addition to discussing placement testing specifically, this session will cover
some additional uses of the Placement Test Suite.
Theme 5: Creating Content For Your Courses - Topic Introduction
Louise Krmpotic, Director, Business Development and Content Authoring, Maplesoft
Profile
Louise Krmpotic earned her Bachelor of Mathematics and Masters of Mathematics from the University of Waterloo,
Canada. She also holds a Bachelor of Education from Althouse College, the Faculty of Education at the University of
Western Ontario in London, Ontario. At Maplesoft, Louise has been responsible for several key initiatives, from product
development to training and content development. She currently oversees key relationships with higher-education
publishers and is responsible for finding and developing new business opportunities.
Abstract
Maple T.A. is textbook-agnostic so you aren’t limited to the content you can use. Question content created by
Maplesoft and other users is available on the Maple T.A. Cloud, or you have the ability to create your own. This talk will
focus on the content that currently exists and how you can use it, as well as how to create many more examples and
exercises.
Theme 6: Shaping Curriculum - Topic Introduction
Paul DeMarco, Product Director, Maplesoft
Profile
Paul DeMarco holds a B.Math degree in Computer Science/Electrical Engineering Electives, from the University of
Waterloo. As Director of Development at Maplesoft, Paul is involved in the technical direction of Maple and Maple
T.A., with special focus on kernel development, grid and web technologies, and internal infrastructure. As a software
developer at Maplesoft since 1996, Paul has been involved in all aspects of development, in particular matrix and
polynomial data-structures, algorithms, and connectivity with other products and languages.
Abstract
This presentation takes a brief look at how technology is affecting what is being taught, and how it is taught in the
classroom. Online course offerings and assessment tools have opened up new possibilities to improve student
outcomes, and prepare students for careers.
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