The If-Then-Else Section Type
The "IfThenElse" is a section type that allows for adaptation.
We will use this screenshot to walk through how this works. You can also login to your ASSISTments account and from Build edit a problem set or Assemble a problem set to follow along. On the left we will describe the example, on the right the generic terms.
In this example we are showing one section from a separate section, This is just to let you know you can put an IfThenElse wherever you want.
Example
Problem Set Type: IfThenElse
Variables. Each IfThenElse starts with a "Conditional" object. In this example it is a "Linear Order" which is a "Problem Set". In this example the Condition will be True if the student gets 100% of the problems correct. (the setting was Saved using the "Save Variable" button).
Problems: In this example "I will put three objects in the Problem section" was selected so there must be three parts in the problems section.
The "Conditional Part" in this example is a linear order problem set. Students will do these problems at the end they will either have them all righ (reached the 100% setting) so it will return True, if they don't get them all right it will return False.
The "Then Part" In this example if the the student gets all the problems right they will do the linear order section called "StuffToDoIfYouDoReallyWell" Once they finish the IfThenElse section will be over for this student.
The "Else Part" in this example if the student gets even one problem wrong in the conditional part they will do the problems in the section called "ElseCondition-posttest" Skipping the then part.
General Terms
Problem Set Type: You start by setting the section to IfThenElse
Variables: There are three main choices for a conditional object. A Standard Problem Set (linear or random), a Skill Builder (standard or random), or a Problem on its own. The Skill Builder and the Problem on their own do not need a set variable.
The Problem is true if it is correct and false if it is wrong.
The Skill Builder is true if it is completed and false if it is exhausted (use up all the problems without completing).
For a Standard Problem Set you can set a percent correct to determine when it designates true and false. (be sure to "Save Variable")
Problems: You have a choice to have three parts or to let one or to let the then or the else be empty. If you select the empt option you will only put two objects in. There are always three parts in the problems section.
The "Conditional Part" This problem set or problem will return True or False. The above section on variables describes how this is determined.
The "Then Part" This is what students do if the Conditional Part returns True. (this can be empty)
The "Else Part" This is what students do if the Conditional Part returns False. (this can be empty)
The Condition Part is the key to all IfThenElse activity. Here are some things to think about.
If Conditional Part is just a problem the problem may not just be a simple right wrong problem.
If it has more than one main problem it will return an average of the correctness of the two main problems. The only way for it to be "true" is for a student to get both main problems correct.
If there are scaffold questions they are ignored. If a student sees the scaffolds that is only because they got it wrong so it will return "false"
Open Response questions are considered incorrect so be careful using them in the "Condition part". You can use them as part of a problem set but be careful.
If you put an open Response question in a problem set remember a student will NOT be able to get 100% since for IfThenElse they are considered wrong.
Examples of how the IfThenElse has been used.
As a video check. Ask students to watch a video with a code word in it. If they type in the code word then the problem returns True and they go into your study which is in the Else Part. Otherwise tell them to type in something esse and if that is the input they will get it wrong and they will go into the "Else Part" which is just content but no study because your study relies on video access.
IfThenElse can be used for an adaptive study, one where students get easier content if they do poorly (either one problem wrong not right or they don't reach a certain percent correct on a problem set), then they get some remedial work (Else Part) or an announcement of how they get it (Then Part). Finally everyone goes on to the next section.
Be Creative!