Mastery Paths

[laurie_henderso]

How do you create a mastery path using the new quiz feature as a pretest?

[cindyk]

There are two ways to use quizzes and mastery paths.  Remember, you have to use Modules.

Differentiated assignments: Create a regular quiz assigned to everyone.  Based on the results of that quiz, you then assign differentiated assignments.

Choice assignments (the mastery paths hack): Create a single MC question with no more than 3 choices.  Be sure to check 'vary points by answer'.  I tend to keep this simple.  The question is worth 3 points and each option is then worth 1, 2, or 3 points.  This quiz should not be included in the gradebook.   Based on the results of that quiz, you then assign choice assignments.

If the quiz has already been created, click on the three dots menu and select Edit.  If Mastery Paths is enabled for your course, you will see a tab for Mastery Paths.  Enter the breakpoints and assignments on this screen.  You can either use point or percentages to define the breakpoints.  Each of the choice assignments must be assigned to 'mastery paths'.  Be aware that any due dates are removed by the module and will not appear on the student calendar.  After every student has completed the quiz, due dates can then be added.

When some students fail to take the above mentioned quiz in a timely manner for various reasons (self-paced, illness, etc), any due date you enter will disappear each time one of those lagging students takes the quiz.  Since assignments without due dates create an avalanche of issues with student's not realizing they have assignments (not on calendar) and gradebook not including these assignments until the end of the course, I will be implementing a workaround this fall.  I currently have two working ideas and I'm not sure which I will make more sense for workflow.  I also have a need for all grades to be synced to my SIS which require assignments be assigned to everyone, not mastery paths.

Option 1: Create a passback assignment that is not included in Canvas grade but IS synced to my SIS.  This is assigned to everyone and has the desired due date.  This will appear on the student calendars and I can enter the grade the student gets on their mastery paths by combining all the paths into one grade for syncing. I may also swap this assignment and the mastery paths assignments for inclusion in the Canvas grade.  Yes, this is a manual entry of grades but I have to do that because my SIS does not support differentiated/choice assignments.  Doing this runs the risk of adding some element of confusion for students as the same assignment essentially appears twice (once with a due date and once with an unassigned due date) but primarily at the very end of the course.

Option 2: Create an assignment/quiz with the desired due date that is not included in the gradebook but is locked until the mastery path assignment is complete (Module requirements).  This is really a reminder that the student has work to complete.  When they attempt to take it, the locked message directs them to complete the mastery paths assignment.  This assignment can literally be anything, even an encouraging word, or student feedback on whatever topic you choose.  In this case, I have to manually enter grades directly in my SIS (something my admin is not as pleased about).  This method causes less student confusion plus I get bonus feedback.

Let me know if this helps.

I'll update this post after I experiment with both options.  My district will be implementing personalized learning district wide next year and I'm part of the pilot cohort for implementation this year.  Mastery paths supports personalized learning but due dates have to appear.