The MathCityMap Task Formats

The MathCityMap team has recently developed several new task formats! By now, MathCityMap offers nine task formats plus the possibility to create subtasks. All task formats are shortly presented in the following. Furthermore, we make available an Example Trail including all task formats. This trail can be viewed in the web browser here respectively by […]

The MathCityMap team has recently developed several new task formats! By now, MathCityMap offers nine task formats plus the possibility to create subtasks. All task formats are shortly presented in the following.

Furthermore, we make available an Example Trail including all task formats. This trail can be viewed in the web browser here respectively by the code 065522 in the MathCityMap app.

The interval is the ‘classic’ MathCityMap task format. It is to be used whenever measurements are necessary, e.g., to determine a length, an area or a volume.

Interval

The format Exact Value can be used for counting tasks or for combinatorial problems: How many windows do you spot on the house wall? How many possibilities do I have to lock my bike at this bicycle stand?

Exact Value

To raise more than one questions on a measuring activity, the task format Vector (Interval) can be used. Example: Determine the length, width and height of the pictured cuboid. Also, the task format can be applied for questions concerning spatial geometry.

Vector (Interval)

NEW TASK FORMAT!

Analogously, we offer the Vector (Exact Value) format which can be used to set several counting tasks or combinatorial problems at once.

Vector (Exact Value)

NEW TASK FORMAT!

If several numbers are the expected solution in a task, but the order in which the numbers are to be entered is not important, the Set task format can be used. In the app, only the numbers are entered into input fields. An example of a Set task can be found in the math trail above mentioned.

Set

NEW TASK FORMAT!

The Information Station is a task format without an input field in the app. It is implemented to offer important facts, e.g., to historical buildings, persons or realities during the math trail.

Information Station

NEW TASK FORMAT!

Another new task format is Fill In The Blanks: Within this format, gap texts can be easily worked on outside the classroom, e.g., to analyse objects outdoors in technical language, to deal with data from information boards or to raise questions on data of historical realities.
Note: Please use the “strict” mode if a number should be filled into the gap.

Fill In The Blanks

NEW TASK FORMAT!

Also, available data can be queried within the Multiple Choice format like in a quiz. Thereby, at least two answer options must be given, of which at least one is correct.

Multiple Choice

The GPS Task format allows users to create tasks in which the students have to find a pre-defined position (e.g., the middle of the given points) or position themselves in a pre-defined figure (e.g., building a equilateral triangle)
Note: This type of task works best in more rural areas since the GPS signal is often too weak in cities.

GPS Task

Lastly, we offer the possibility to pre-structure more complex tasks by dividing them up into optionally or mandatory Subtasks. One example for using Subtasks is given in the upper mentioned trail.

Subtask

NEW TASK FORMAT!

Yeah, the Community Website is Online!

This morning the Community Website was released as a new part of the MCM web portal. As an output of our Erasmus+ project MoMaTrE, the community website aims to connect MathCityMap users all over the world. MathCityMap now has its own small social network. With the launch of the MCM community website, it is now […]

This morning the Community Website was released as a new part of the MCM web portal. As an output of our Erasmus+ project MoMaTrE, the community website aims to connect MathCityMap users all over the world. MathCityMap now has its own small social network.

With the launch of the MCM community website, it is now possible to follow other users and write posts. In addition, you can celebrate your own successes in the MCM portal by winning awards and show them to others. The first changes are already noticeable when you enter the MCM web portal: at the top of the toolbar there is now a small letter, which may already be marked with a red number to announce the existence of new notifications. These notifications inform about new followers, news, contact requests and of course about new awards.

The feed is waiting under the main menu on the start page of the MCM web portal. The first time you log in to the MCM web portal since the community website was published, this feed is empty. However, it will fill up quickly as soon as you follow other MCM users. From then on, the feed informs about the latest activities of the users you are following. Who last published a new trail or task and who is collecting awards? In the feed you can find all this information bundled together.

The Community Website offers much more than that which is visible on the start page. The menu item “Profile” takes you to your own personal page, which is still quite empty at the start of the Community Website and which needs to be filled in. In addition to uploading a profile picture, you can enter information about your activity and job here, as well as link to your own website, if available. The timeline, located directly below the profile, provides an overview of your own activities.

One of the most interesting innovations is certainly the numerous awards that can be received. At the launch of the community website there are awards for achievements in six different areas: Number of published MCM tasks, number of published MCM trails, number of reviews completed, number of digital classrooms completed (with a minimum of four participants and a minimum duration of 45 minutes), number of followers and total number of downloads of own trails in the MCM app. For each of these awards there are six levels to achieve. Those who can adorn themselves with a silver award (level 3) have already gained a lot of experience in using MathCityMap. To reach the last level, a golden award, decorated with a wreath, even professionals have to make an effort. A click on the award symbol in the toolbar of your profile gives information about the required numbers for the different awards.

In your own short profile, which from now on can also be seen in the self-created tasks and trails, up to three awards can be displayed and thus made visible to everyone at first glance. The selection of the awards that are displayed can be made in the profile’s edit mode.

There are several ways to interact with other users. For example, you can use the small magnifying glass in the toolbar at the top of the portal to search for a user whose name you know. On the profile of another user you now have various possibilities for interaction, some of which are only activated when you follow the person. For example, you can write a message to others or request their contact information if you want to exchange information outside the portal.

We hope you enjoy exploring the community website and following each other, writing messages and of course collecting awards!

App Update: We explain the new features!

After launching our new web portal three weeks ago, we now celebrate our new MathCityMap App Update! In the following we present the new features: New features: Our onboarding introduces the system with just a few clicks: With the help of our explanations the start into the world of MathCityMap is now even easier (photo […]

After launching our new web portal three weeks ago, we now celebrate our new MathCityMap App Update! In the following we present the new features:

New features:

Our onboarding introduces the system with just a few clicks: With the help of our explanations the start into the world of MathCityMap is now even easier (photo 1).
The author area is now available: With the MathCityMap app, registered users can create tasks while on the go via smartphone or tablet. Here it is possible to either create a complete task analogous to the web portal or to prepare a short draft which can be edited later at any time (photos 2 to 6).
The chat in the Digital Classroom was extended: Now it is also possible to send voice messages or pictures besides classic text messages. This allows teachers to support learners even better and more specifically via chat.

The new app version can be downloaded here for Android (Google Play Store) or here for Apple iOS. We hope you enjoy the new functions!

**Our onboarding explains the functions of the MCM app.**

The MathCityMap idea:

With the MathCityMap app, students, teachers and individuals can rediscover their own environment from a mathematical perspective: Mathematical hiking trails, so-called maths trails, can be followed all over the world with the help of the MathCityMap App. After all, there are a multitude of mathematically interesting objects everywhere!

MathCityMap combines the editing of mathtrails with the possibilities of modern technologies such as GPS localization for orientation purposes, a support system through stepped hints and a feedback system. Mathtrails, once downloaded, can also be used in offline mode. The app is available in eleven different languages, including German, English, Spanish, Italian and French.

On our website you can become active yourself after a free registration and create your own tasks and mathtrails.

Webportal & App are developed by the working group MATIS 1 at the Institute for Didactics of Mathematics and Computer Science at the Goethe University Frankfurt am Main. Due to funding within the framework of the Erasmus+ projects MoMaTrE and MaSCE³ we can provide the app free of charge and free of advertising as well as conforming to data protection regulations.

New Features of the MathCityMap app

We redesigned our app und added some new features which we will present in the following. After starting the app, you will be welcomed by our new, clear structured start screen. Four tiles enable users to navigate through the app intuitively. By using “Browse Trails“ the app shows math trails near by you or at […]

We redesigned our app und added some new features which we will present in the following. After starting the app, you will be welcomed by our new, clear structured start screen. Four tiles enable users to navigate through the app intuitively.

By using “Browse Trails“ the app shows math trails near by you or at any location of your choice.
The button ”Add Trails“ allows users to call up private trails or trails which use our feature Digital Classroom by adding a code.
“My Trails“ gives an overview about your downloaded MathCityMap trails as well as their completion status: How many tasks of the trail did you solve? In addition, the app provides a map which shows the downloaded trails in the surrounding area.
Soon we will release the function ”Manage Trails” which gives registered users the possibility to edit their own tasks and trails via smartphone.

The new start screen
“Browse Trails” shows trails in your environment and all over the world
“My Trails” shows your downloaded trails and their completion status
“My Trails” Shows downloaded trails in your Environment, too

We are looking forward to your feedback!

Portal Update: Synchronization between map and list

The October update includes some changes to the web portal. An essential point is the synchronization of list and map view. What does that mean? Previously, the tasks and trails that were visible on the map were not necessarily part of the list. As a result, the list displayed content from different places and possibly […]

The October update includes some changes to the web portal. An essential point is the synchronization of list and map view. What does that mean? Previously, the tasks and trails that were visible on the map were not necessarily part of the list. As a result, the list displayed content from different places and possibly different languages.

With the new update, the currently visible map section is linked to the list. Accordingly, only tasks and trails can be seen in the list that can also be found in the current map section. This has the advantage of obtaining relevant data for your location. In addition, much less data must be loaded, which increases the speed of the web portal.

If you want to get an overview of all your tasks, a button (globe icon) on the right edge of the map will help. This zooms on the whole world and thus represents all your content.

Overview of further changes:

New 3D map: The MCM web portal now uses new map technology. This allows you to tilt the map (hold right mouse button and move mouse) and show or hide 3D buildings. The following actions can be performed via the control bar on the right side of the map (from top to bottom):
- Zoom map (Zoom in)
- Zoom map (Zoom out)
- Align to the north
- Show and center your own position
- Show entire world map (zoom out to maximum)
- Show or hide 3D buildings
- Change map style (Street, Outdoors, Satellite)
- Loading Indicator (indicates whether data is being reloaded)
Revised trail and task preview: Content does not open directly on the first click. Instead, a content preview based on the MCM app opens first.
Create or edit a trail: If you open the details of a trail, the list and all other trail pins will be hidden. When switching to edit mode (or when creating a new trail), tasks (Own and Public) in the current map are added to the map, which can then be assigned to the trail. In addition, these tasks also appear in the list. This makes it possible to create a trail using the list. The various sorting options can help keep track of a large amount of tasks.
Customization of task and trail pins: The MCM web portal now uses the same pins as the MCM app. Tasks are represented by rounded pins. Trails are represented by square pins. In addition, there is a color and a symbolic distinction:
- Dark Blue: Own content (created by logged in users)
- Blue: Foreign (public) content (created and shared by another user)
- Light Blue: Selected content (eg pin-click to preview or if details are open)
- Circle icon (currently only trails): Public Trail
- Key Icon (currently only trails): Private Trail
- light blue (transparent): Occurs when working on a task and represents the previous task item.
- Note: The colors will be adjusted and optimized in the near future.
New Tasks Wizard – Age of the tree: The task wizard has been extended by another template. The task deals with the calculation of the age of a tree from measured circumference (in cm) and given growth factor of the diameter (in cm per year). At present, there is a wide choice of trees in Europe, such as maple, birch, beech, oak, etc. This task can be found under the category “growth”.
Sessions: Running paths are no longer collectively displayed on the map. Instead, each user will see their own track based on their events as soon as they click on the user (list or map). In addition, the events are marked as small circles on the map and can be clicked for more information. It is now possible to retrieve the path of a user later.
Review: The review process has been partially changed and adapted:
- Logged in users can view the review history for their own tasks and trails.
- If a trail was rejected and a user tries to re-submit it directly, an error message appears. The error message says that first the feedback of all rejected tasks of the trail must be read and confirmed before a re-submission is possible.
- Reviewers must now leave a message to complete a review.
- A trail can only be published if none of the tasks have recently been rejected.
- Reviewers will now receive a quick feedback as soon as they have made a decision.
- If a trail is submitted for publication, a reviewer can now see all the tasks of the trail, even if they do not need to be reviewed. In terms of color, these are coded as follows:
  Light blue opaque: Task Waiting for Review
  Light blue transparent: Task has already been published
  Red: Task has already been rejected
Other changes:
- Trails can now be sorted by downloads
- New trails are highlighted in the list with a green star
- GPS tasks now use a small red circle instead of large pins to mark positions. In addition, hints were added on how to set markers or coordinate system.
- Extract position from images: If you upload an image for a task and it contains position data, a message appears asking if the user wants to use the image position to set the location of the task.
- If the portal is called with an extended URL that points to a content, the user can choose to jump to that content or start the portal as usual.
- Many alerts have now been replaced with more user-friendly custom alerts.
- Bugfixes when creating sessions: If a session exceeds the permitted duration of 48h, an error message appears, which prevents the creation of the session. Furthermore, an automatic task assignment error was corrected in Custom mode, where the task titles were not displayed.
- Fixed an error when changing the share for a group.
- Updating frameworks (AngularJS, FontAwesome)
- Small bug fixes and style adjustments

Portal & App Update: Narratives

Ahoy mateys! A new exciting feature for MathCityMap is now available both in the App and Web portal – Narratives. Narratives carry the app users away to new thematic settings. The route creators can optionally enable a specific narrative for each of their routes, the narrative gets automatically applied and can be experienced after downloading […]

Ahoy mateys! A new exciting feature for MathCityMap is now available both in the App and Web portal – Narratives. Narratives carry the app users away to new thematic settings. The route creators can optionally enable a specific narrative for each of their routes, the narrative gets automatically applied and can be experienced after downloading the route in the App.

The App’s text (such as task descriptions, hints, answer feedback, etc.), is replaced or expanded with dialogue lines from the narrative assistant: a companion that travels alongside the player and aids in their quest. The App’s graphical elements (banners, backgrounds, the map, etc.) are replaced with elements allusive to the narrative.

Our first narrative: Pirates!

And so, we present the first narrative: Pirates!

In this narrative the player is a pirate Captain that seeks to collect as many coins as possible and find the trail’s treasure! They are accompanied by their trusty parrot, Perry. Perry will help them solve riddles, getting them closer to the treasure one enigma at a time. When all the riddles are solved, the Captain finds the treasure!

To enable a narrative on a route, go to: Portal > Routes > My Routes and select the route. Then, on the route’s details click “Edit”, scroll down to the “2. Settings” tab and select the desired narrative from the dropdown list. After this, you just have to click “save” and the narrative will be applied. From that point on, when users download your route, they will have a new adventure awaiting for them.

New Graphics

The trail is now represented by a treasure map

Companion

Perry the parrot accompanies the player on his adventures.

Enabling narratives

In the section “2. Settings” select a narrative from the dropdown menu.

Our objective is to provide the MathCityMap App users with fun experiences that feel distinct, fresh, but still follow the general flow of the original math trail solving experience. As such, narrative routes will immerse the users in a small story and improve their motivation to continue solving the tasks and try even more routes.

Other changes

Introducing LaTex to MCM (App & Web): Writing mathematical formulas with the computer is not always easy. For a long time we have planned to support LaTex formulas in MCM. Finally, this feature is available to all users through the integration of the MathJax library. Find a documentation here.
Click images to enlarge (App): Images such as the title image, hint images or sample solution images can now be viewed and zoomed in a separate view, just click them.
Minor bug fixes.

Portal Update: Digital Classroom

An important feature for MathCityMap – the digital classroom – is now available in the app and web portal. To set up a digital classroom, a Mathtrail is needed in the portal. You can then join the app there and edit the Mathrail. In addition to the normal procedure, a chat is available in the […]

An important feature for MathCityMap – the digital classroom – is now available in the app and web portal. To set up a digital classroom, a Mathtrail is needed in the portal. You can then join the app there and edit the Mathrail. In addition to the normal procedure, a chat is available in the digital classroom. The head of the classroom can chat with the participants and give instructions. It is also possible to follow the progress of classroom participants during the mathtrail. The following video gives an overview.

Further Changes:

App

Hint images: It is now possible to click on an image to maximize.
Starting-Routine was optimized: Trails and Thumbnails are now loaded dynamically.
Keyboard Layout: A unified keyboard was implemented for Android and iOs devices.

Portal update: Create task drafts on the fly!

Today’s update extends the web portal with an important new feature. The mobile version of the portal (e.g. on mobile devices) now automatically starts in the so-called “draft mode”. It is a reduced and light weight view that displays the map and a plus button at the bottom right hand corner. Clicking this button allows […]

Today’s update extends the web portal with an important new feature. The mobile version of the portal (e.g. on mobile devices) now automatically starts in the so-called “draft mode”. It is a reduced and light weight view that displays the map and a plus button at the bottom right hand corner. Clicking this button allows to quickly create a task draft. Just add a picture via your smartphone and click on the “Get position” button to automatically set your position. The task draft will be accessible in the “My tasks” area. This features allows users to quickly create a task draft while they are outside that can be polished and finished later on at home. There is still the possibility to use all web portal functionalities on your mobile as well – just switch to “Default mode”. For more information take a look at the attached tutorial video.

Further changes:

Added caching of tasks: Freshly created task will be cached. If a user closes the new task form by mistake, the task creation can be continued by clicking on “New task” > “Draft”. This behaviour should prevent data loss.
Added possibility to remove task images: Title images and sample solution images may now be marked for deletion by clicking on the “Trash”-icon of the according image while editing a task. When the user saves the made changes, the marked images will be deleted (see image 4).
Moved mathematical symbols to the quick-jump bar: One can now toggle the mathematical symbols table via the “Omega”-sign inside the quick-jump bar next to the details window. (see image 3)
Preparation for the ‘digital classroom’ and sub tasks: Made many backend changes and adjustment to prepare the web portal for the introduction of the ‘digital classroom’ and sub tasks that will be activated this year.
Other changes:
- Items that were shared by a group will be highlighted with the group name they come from inside the list view.
- Removed gamification option ‘Leaderboard’ from trails menu. This option will be available again in the ‘digital classroom’ feature.
- Fixed problems with decimal numbers in the task wizard in Internet Explorer and Firefox.
- Small bugfixes and style changes.

Portal Update: No longer need to turn pictures

Today’s update fixes a bug that has been around since the beginning of the portal and that you’ve almost gotten used to: Images that were taken upright were not interpreted correctly by the portal and therefore displayed in landscape mode. This should be fixed right now! Further changes in the overview: Statistics: How many times […]

Today’s update fixes a bug that has been around since the beginning of the portal and that you’ve almost gotten used to:

Images that were taken upright were not interpreted correctly by the portal and therefore displayed in landscape mode. This should be fixed right now!

Further changes in the overview:

Statistics: How many times has my trail been downloaded? This information can be found in the trail list. It contains the number of PDF and app downloads. Nevertheless, the app downloads have only been saved since the last app update (early June).
Quick-Jump-Buttons: At the top left of the detailed view of tasks and trails you can find so-called “Quick-Jump-Buttons” that allow you to jump directly to a desired area.
List view with preview images: The list view also displays a preview image of a trail or task (so-called thumbnails, see title picture). This is possible because now uploaded images are stored in different resolutions in order to represent the most suitable on the smartphone. The overview of related tasks for a trail also contains a preview image.
Other changes: Minor bug fixes and many hidden changes were made to make things smoother. It will now be used to minify the Javascript files “Gulp”.

MCM Web Portal Update – Toolbar

After improving the task and trail details in our last portal update, this update focuses on the toolbar. The main aim of these updates is to get MathCityMap on a well established technical level and to make sure that a higher amount of data do not affect the functionality. Overview of all Changes: Data in […]

After improving the task and trail details in our last portal update, this update focuses on the toolbar. The main aim of these updates is to get MathCityMap on a well established technical level and to make sure that a higher amount of data do not affect the functionality.

Overview of all Changes:

Data in the lists are loaded asychronously
Revision of the working groups
Possibility to cancel content from the review process
Revision of the searching function
Minor bug fixing

Working Groups

In the list “My Tasks” and “My Routes”, you can see the items which are shared within a group, mixed with your own contents. The group items are marked with a coloured circle and the initials of the author.
Shared content cannot be shared, published or deleted by other group members.
If you share a trail with a group, automatically all tasks from the trail are shared as well.
The working group list shows further information, e.g. number of members and number of shared contents.
In the details of the working group, you can change the colour of the group (randomly chosen out of 10 fixed colours) and the shared tasks and trails are listed.

Review Process

After asking for publication of a content, you can cancel the review process by clicking the button “Cancel Publication”. This can be helpful in case you asked for publication by mistake.

Search Function

The search function opens a new tab with three entries:
Routes – Here are trails listed that can be found via search
Tasks – Here are tasks listed that can be found via search
New Search – Opens a search box (send via ENTER or click on the magnifier)
With the button Search Settings, one further has the opportunity to configurate the search, e.g. the time slot of the task creation or an interval for the grades. Apart from this, one can choose in which fields contents should be searched.

Minor Bug Fixing

Through various actions, the portal can come into different states. Earlier, it was not systematic enough so that some actions led to error states. The states are now managed standardized and systematically. This should help to avoid and easily regulate errors.
Opening tasks and trails integrates so called GET parameters into the address bar, e.g. to send a specific trail via link (Attention: The content must be visible for the receiver). With the new update, it is further noted in which sub tab the portal is during the starting process.
The loading bar was changed into a loading circle with a message on the current process. Further, it is integrated more consitently. This should show the user what happens in the background.
Task, Box: Sample Solution: The bug that deleted the picture of the sample solution while changing the text of the sample solution was fixed.
Picture Upload: The bug that hindered the process of uploading a picture with the same filename was fixed.