CourseArc offers the ability to create accessible Math content for learners. Some of the ways Math content can be added and displayed in CourseArc are:
- The Equation Editor
- LaTeX Equations (converts to MathML, then renders with WIRIS or MathJax)
- Graphing Block (activity)
- Interactive Graphs (Informational)
For more information about how to use each of these features visit the following articles:
How do I use the equation editor feature? (Includes a video)
How do I paste math equations into content blocks? (Includes a video)
WIRIS Editor User Manual (external link)
How do I create a graphing question?
How do I use the Interactive Graphs block?
View sample Math content in CourseArc
Content Creation Tips
Rendering
After creating an equation the first time, you must render the equation by publishing the page. This will make the equation appear correctly and show how the equations will look to students. Unless you make changes, the rendering and proper view should hold in the edit view moving forward. This equation rendering article is also helpful to review.
Typing in the Editor
It is always best to use the buttons in the Equation Editor to create equations instead of typing the symbols, because that will ensure the correct notation is saved. For example, using the icon/button for parentheses will add a pair to group content. They will expand with your formula and read correctly with screenreaders. Another example is using the icon for terms such as cos (cosine) or symbols NaCl. Don’t add spaces; that can cause a screenreader to read the equation incorrectly, too. Maybe increasing the size of the font could help instead.
Reading Equations Aloud
Screenreaders (and often students) can read equations the way they are written (for example, reading ‘open parenthesis x plus 4 close parenthesis’ instead of ‘the quantity of x plus 4’), so you might want to include text or an icon and link to popup text block to help students know how an equation should be read aloud.
Contextual Tab & Adjusting Equations
The Contextual tab in the Equation Editor changes based on the location of your cursor within the equation and allows you to adjust equations, such as adding a row to a table, aligning content in tables or adding borders to tables.
For example, the first view has no content yet in the Equation Editor, so the Contextual Tab (final tab) is blank. The second view has a matrix, so when the cursor is placed within the matrix, many new options appear in the Contextual Tab.
Have a Plan
Plan out your equations and content involving math first, then build it using the Equation Editor. It can be harder to edit equations as you are building compared to editing regular text-based content.
Pasting Code for Equations
If you are pasting in math code using the Equation Editor tool or bookmarklet and you are combining text and equations, enter all of your text first with a placeholder for the equation, then highlight the place you want to paste the equation so all you have to do is save. For example ( text <equation> text ) as pictured below.
Before using the equation editor and pasting in 2 equations:
After:
Editing Equations
If you are viewing an equation in rendered form, such as in a Content: Text and Tables block, double-click the equation to view the Equation Editor and edit the equation.
If you are viewing math code, you can copy the math code and paste it directly into the equation editor to see what the equation looks like.
