Will this be on the test?

If you've ever taught a math class, then you've probably encountered the following scenario: you're showing the class a cool proof (like why an inscribed angle always has half the measure of its arc), and you get asked: "Will this be on the test?" You're demonstrating how math is a consistent framework and that even the hardest facts are derived from simpler theorems. But your students just aren't interested. And from their perspective, this makes a lot of sense. Students have many demands on their time (some related to education, some not), and they're really just trying to optimize their schedules.

And so with our lessons, we tried something a little different. We know students aren't interested in working through proofs all the time. But sometimes they're genuinely curious, or they already passed the quiz and are now returning to see why the rule they memorized actually works. So we try to leave it up to the student to choose: if you want to work through a proof, click here; to just do practice problems, click here instead.

Here's an example from our lesson on inscribed angles:


After a student sees the rule in action and plays with an interactive, he or she can decide whether to work through a proof or skip ahead. If they opt for the proof, they'll work with general angles and prove it for themselves.


Otherwise, practice problems it is!


While it's nice that we give students the choice, we're really hoping they'll elect to work through the proof. They'll get more experience with geometric proofs, get more practice with algebra, and convince themselves that the rule truly works. So how many students decide to work through the proof?


Using our analytics dashboard (which comes with our authoring tool, QuickBranch, for you content authors out there), we found that of the 1701 students who made it to this point in the lesson, 987 (or 58% of them) decided to work through the proof. And of those, 779 (~78%) made it all the way through the proof. We found similar rates in other lessons as well, like the Pythagorean theoremMore often than not, in our self-paced learning environment, students will choose to work through the proof.

When they're asking "Will this be on the test?," it's not that students don't care or don't want to learn. It's that their time is limited, and they're trying to optimize. If you free them from these constraints, and let them come back to the proof when they feel motivated or incentivized to really learn it, they'll choose to do so.

So when it comes to material that won't be on the test, trust your students and give them the choice. They may surprise you.

16 comments:

  1. Good-day viewers that is reading this article, i want to share to the world how this great man save me from HERPES VIRUS 1/2 3years back i was battling with this terrible and disastrous disease which was so detesting,well on my aid of looking for solution all my effort conceived nothing, I was devastated but one day out of great enthusiasm i saw this intrigue testimonies about Dr Ojoka so afterwards i contacted Dr ojoka on his emails: (drojokarootandherbal@gmail com) I explained myself to him and i obeyed all his instruction without protesting any further he assured me that all will be fine and that was it,i was totally cure when i used the herbal medicine that was sent to me,Thank so much sir Dr Ojoka for your help, Dr ojoka also cures several disease such as DIABETES, HIV AIDS, HEPATITIS B & C And many more, incase you are going through this same infection yours can also be cured, contact his mobile or What App : +2348144172934
    check his blog: https://perfectherbalcure.blogspot.com/check his blog: https://penisherbalenlarge.blogspot.com/

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I have been married with my wife for 6 years and recently she broke up with me and it hurt me deeply when she told me to leave her alone and that she does not love me anymore when i was always faithful and honest to her. I tried all the ways to get her back buying her what she wants like i always did and she still left me heart broken and she even has a new boyfriend which destroyed me even more until a friend of mine from high school directed me to Dr Emu. This man changed my life completely. I followed everything he told me to do and my wife came back. I was stunned everything happened exactly like he told me. I had faith in everything he told me and everything was true. You can contact him via email: Emutemple@gmail.com He will help you in anything you need and quick to answer once you contact him through his whats-app number: +2347012841542
      For more destails about Dr Emu you can visit his Website: http://emutemple.website2.me/

      Delete
  2. Herpes Cure TestimonyI was diagnose with Genital Herpes for the past 2 years and I have been searching for cure. I have several outbreaks on my back and it really affected me morally, I read a testimony on this platform of a lady from Nevada who was cured from Diabetes with doctor Ahmed Usman Herbal medicine including the doctor official email address. I contacted the doctor through his email, after much discussion and few questions he prepared the Herbal medicine and asked for my address which I received the Herbal medicine 3 days later and with his prescription I drank the Herbal medicine for 21 days. After concluding the herbal medicine I went for test and my IgG result was confirmed Negative with no trace of the virus on my blood. Contact doctor Ahmed and be cured his email;
    drahmedusman5104@gmail.com. or send him a whatsapp text +14436204203
    He has Herbal cure for Diabetes, Hepatitis, Heart diseases.
    Hypertension, Strokes and Liver disease,Fibroid,Cancer,Asthma,Leukemia, Epilepsy,Menopause diseases 

    ReplyDelete
  3. I am so delighted I found your weblog, I really found you by accident,
    And would just like to say thank you for a fantastic post and a all round entertaining blog (I also love the theme/design), HOW TO OBTAIN DMV & DVLA FAKE DRIVERS LICENSE THAT WORKS I don't have time to go through it all at the minute but I have bookmarked it and also added your RSS feeds, so when I have time I will be back to read a lot more, Please do keep up the excellent job.

    Y’all don’t forget to join this DMV EXPERTS TELEGRAM GROUP for more information about new drivers license and updated materials being used along the production process of the DL . You can also take advantage to learn and meet many Experts who will guide you on numerous techniques for anyone who love hacking and don’t know how to go about it .

    ReplyDelete
  4. THE MAN GOD SENT TO HELP ME IS DR EBOSELE.

    It is said that when someone has done good for you he or she has to be appreciated this is why i am here to appreciate and share a good news about DR EBOSELE for curing me from the Genital Herpes. i have been dealing with HSV1 AND SINCE 2019 until 2021 when i come to contact the God sent man DR EBOSELE who gave 2 weeks treatment and suddenly all the pox on my skin left and am herpes free with the cure from EBOSELE SOLUTIONS . with this great happiness in my heart i wanna ask ya all to join me thank him and if anyone need help to cure any kind of disease or anything prayers kindly contact him today via his details below:
    Email; eboselesolutions@gmail.com,
    Whatsapp/call; +2348146646995
    cureforherpesnow665.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  5. Mummy's Casino - Kambiema - JT Hub
    Mummy's 구리 출장안마 Casino, located in Mysuru, is 경주 출장안마 a business 용인 출장마사지 and services provider of 구리 출장안마 casino games including slots, 김해 출장샵 table games, video poker, video

    ReplyDelete
  6. Such blogs and articles delivering the guidance and tips regarding specific fields of study or topic are extremely beneficial and useful to the students worldwide. The employees working at the online platforms and delivering the Nursing Dissertation help also prefer reading and going through such blogs and articles that help them increase their knowledge etc.

    ReplyDelete
  7. I think it's great that you're giving your kids a math test! They need to be able to understand and use math in their everyday lives, and this is a great way to help them learn.

    ReplyDelete
  8. I really apricate your well written article. A lot of good information in this article for students. Thanks for sharing this article. Now it's time to avail Locksmith Leeds for more information.

    ReplyDelete
  9. This herbal medicine from the herbal doctor [Robinson Buckler]. I took the herbal medicine for 2 weeks as instructed and i went for a medical checkup and to my greatest surprise i was cured from Herpes virus. My heart is so filled with joy. If you are suffering from Herpes or any other disease you can contact this herbal doctor today on this Email:..robinsonbuckler@yahoo com....

    [Arthritis]
    [Herpes]
    [Hypertension]
    [The Opioid Epidemic]
    [Stroke]
    [Obesity]
    [Infertility/Impotency]
    [Eye Problem]
    [Fibroid Tumor]
    [Enlarge Prostate]
    [Weak erection]

    ReplyDelete
  10. If you don't have much time to take your class and want to spend time and money on hiring someone to take my online class in New York, several services could help you, like Prime Online Class. You can send your requirements to our live support team and get homework done by various experts.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Such blogs like this that shows care for students and encourage education at the same time is so worth reading. management assignment help service could help out getting phenomenal assignments written on various forms of management topics.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Thanks for providing this site with such helpful information. Nice content, valuable and outstanding design. A common die in Dungeons and Dragons is the 8-sided die, often called the Octahedron-shaped die or the Octahedron-shaped die. So refer to the d8 dice roll blog and learn more about it.

    ReplyDelete
  13. It takes a lot of effort to get into college, but it might be even harder to understand what your instructors want of you once you get there. The crucial survival manual for high school students adjusting to college coursework is called Will This Be on the Test? Dana Johnson shares wit and wisdom from her decades of experience as an award-winning teacher of freshmen in this amusing and educational book; these are lessons that will help you long after you graduate from college.

    ReplyDelete
  14. Such blogs like this that shows care for students and know the education at the same time is so worth of reading. many student struggling in academics of management, because they dont know about how to complete their assignment of management subject, so they want to good grades from another student so they need great assignment. here in assignment our writer available for
    Management Assignment Help for the uk student.

    ReplyDelete