BY Vic Odarve
One student quipped after the quiz, "It was so simple but challenging."
Students love this type of quiz. They find the quiz on finding the determinants, inverse matrices, and eigenvalues, and eigenvectors give them the opportunity to test how far their learning has progressed on that course. That is, taking a simple but challenging quiz!
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| Engineering Mathematics Quiz |
What makes it simple? It is simple because the given
matrices during the quiz were almost like the examples discussed in detail
during the classroom session, except for a change to one of the entries in
every row. This type of quiz is challenging because it uses open notes, books,
and other related materials. Laptops are allowed where they can use the program
MS Excel. But everybody must observe the "strictly no borrowing materials
from classmates!" rule.
Another word of caution! Solutions must be legibly written
and presented in detail, or step by step. Laptops are used only for
counterchecking or guiding as they are works in progress. That’s it, and
nothing more!
Why does this type of quiz work?
Open books, notes, and related references during quizzes are
welcomed by engineering students. Mathematics, especially dealing with
matrices, is difficult to work with. As the size of the matrix grows, so does
the difficulty of computation. Rules are sometimes complicated and require
complete understanding before our confidence in getting the correct answer
develops. Memorization of procedures does not work well if done without
understanding, as you will soon forget the procedures as the solution
progresses. Most often, in matrices, a change of a single element or entry will
change the whole environment of computation. The solution is very sensitive to
the slightest changes in the initial condition of the matrices. Just like in
chaotic theory, any error in a single step can produce a large error in the
final answer. That’s why opening notes, books, etc during quizzes works well
with matrices. The main objective is to familiarize students with the algorithm
on how to get to the final answer.
The reason is clear. Let the students learn the basics of
matrices' operations. With almost all computation nowadays done by a computer,
we are preparing our students for this world ahead. It is then that the
classroom learning comes to work in the open fields after completing their
course. In the real world, computers and engineers work hand in hand in the
industrial fields.
What was the result?
As expected, silence engulfed the whole classroom as the
quiz started. Everybody was busy and concentrated on their work. There will be
no searching for solutions on another piece of paper. All eyes were on their
own paper. The time limitation for the quiz was enforced. A real-world in a
classroom!
What was the result of that quiz? Sixty percent (60%) of
those who took the test passed. Failed students came to me for various reasons.
Some confided that they had not prepared well and were not listening during
classroom lectures. In summary, failed students had reasons with the same
denominator. It's the same old stories! They are still clinging to their old
bad habits! They vowed to change the old ways. They blamed themselves for
failing the quiz! One thing is certain: the lecturer is not to blame!
So, what is next? Some wept and, admittedly, vowed to
change for the better! Then I told these poor youngsters, "Go and change
your ways, for it is not too late. More quizzes are coming. Unless you change
your ways, you will not pass this course. "
Sounds biblical? Yes. Students must change their ways to
pass the course. In the early parts of his preaching, Jesus often told the
crowd to change their ways and believe the good news so that they would not
perish. Everybody must be prepared.
He said, "The time has come; the kingdom of
God is at hand. Change your ways and believe the good news. ""
1,15 Mark
"I tell you: no. But unless you change your
ways, you will all perish as they did. "
13:3 Luke
That’s it. Failed students must change for the better, for
they will not only pass this course, but one day they will also meet the One
sitting on the throne for final judgment on all mankind.
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