Overview of some technologies for designing a task generator in higher mathematics for distance learning systems

¹ Moscow Polytechnic University, 107023, Bolshaya Semyonovskaya str., 38, Moscow, Russia
² MIREA Russian Technological University, 119454, Vernadsky Avenue, 78, Moscow, Russia
³ Moscow Region State University, 141014, Mytishi, Very Voloshinoy, 24, Moscow Region, Russia

^* Corresponding author: s_a_mukhanov@mail.ru

Abstract

Successful teaching of mathematics to students is impossible without their independent performance of practical tasks, the compilation of which manually is very laborious. This article provides an overview of some technologies for designing task generators in higher mathematics, from the point of view of both those algorithms that can be used to generate tasks, and from the point of view of the technologies used to build the generator. There are also some options for implementing task generators: based on the Microsoft Office office suite, a Python program, an online JavaScript generator. In all the proposed variants of the generator, computer layout systems (or a translator) are responsible for translating mathematical formulas into a readable form TeX (or LaTeX). The generator based on the Microsoft Office suite uses such features of the office suite as random number generation, branching using the “IF” function of Excel and using the merge tool in Word. The proposed generator, written in Python, uses recursive functions to generate tasks on the topic “Derivative of a function” of various types. The generation of the type of tasks on the topic “Integrals” is carried out taking into account the selected canonical forms. The proposed online JavaScript generator uses similar concepts. The specified generator can be effectively integrated into the LMS MOODLE, which allows it to be used for building distance courses.