Population and Outcomes
8th Grade
Algebra
Outcome:
The student will be able to write, simplify, and create equivalent algebraic expressions that use one variable.
Students should be able to:
a) Use hands-on tools or visual models (such as colored counters or algebra tiles) to show algebraic expressions, including those that use the distributive property.
b) Simplify and create equivalent expressions in one variable by using the order of operations and the properties of real numbers. Students may need to expand expressions with the distributive property or combine like terms to simplify. Expressions will include only linear and numeric terms, and coefficients or numbers may be rational.
AI Prompt
Create five multiple choice items for an 8th grade math assessment that measures:
The student will represent, simplify, and generate equivalent algebraic expressions in one variable. Students will demonstrate the following Knowledge and Skills: a) Represent algebraic expressions using concrete manipulatives or pictorial representations (e.g., colored chips, algebra tiles), including expressions that apply the distributive property. b) Simplify and generate equivalent algebraic expressions in one variable by applying the order of operations and properties of real numbers. Expressions may need to be expanded (using the distributive property) or require combining like terms to simplify. Expressions will include only linear and numeric terms. Coefficients and numeric terms may be rational.
AI Assessments
I could not get Google Gemini to cooperate on Forms so I Google geminni on its own to create a quiz:
Evaluation
Magicschool.ai Item:
Simplify the expression: 2/3x + 1/4x – 5/12
Answer choices:
a. 11/12x – 5/12
b. 3/7x – 5/12
c. 11/12x + 5/12
d. 7/12x – 5/12
This is a well-constructed multiple-choice item that accurately measures students’ ability to simplify algebraic expressions with fractional coefficients. It follows most construction rules effectively, with only one distractor that could be strengthened. The item supports inferences about student understanding and does not include unnecessary cues that would increase guessing success.
ChatGPT Item:
Which algebraic expression is represented by the algebra tiles shown below?
Representation:
3 positive x-tile
5 negative tiles
Answer choices:
a. (3x + 5)
b. (3x – 5)
c. (x + 8)
d. (–3x + 5)
This is a strong multiple-choice item that effectively measures the visual-to-symbolic representation of algebraic expressions, an important component of the objective. The distractors are meaningful and the format minimizes guessing. However, the wording could easily become confusing.
Google Gemini Item:
Which expression is equivalent to −1.5(2x − 10)?
Answer choices:
a. 3x − 15
b. 3x + 15
c. −3x + 15
d. −3x − 15
This is a well-constructed multiple-choice item that correctly measures the intended algebraic simplification skill. Distractors are meaningful, it is clear and focused, and the format minimizes both guessing and procedural shortcuts.
Analysis
Magicschool.ai Item:
Overall, the five multiple-choice items in this assessment effectively measure the intended learning outcomes related to representing, simplifying, and generating equivalent algebraic expressions. Each item aligns with objectives, presents clear stems, and includes believable distractors that reflect common student misconceptions, supporting validity (Rules 1.1, 1.2, 2.1). All questions contain only one correct answer (Rule 1.7), avoid bias (Rule 1.6), and maintain grammatical parallelism across choices (Rule 2.13). Minor issues include a few distractors that may be too obviously incorrect, slightly reducing challenge (Rule 2.1), and some repeated wording from the stem that could have been avoided (Rule 2.12). Despite these minor concerns, the items overall provide a strong assessment of the targeted skills for the intended students.
ChatGPT Item:
Overall, the five multiple-choice items effectively measure the intended learning outcomes related to representing algebraic expressions, applying the distributive property, and combining like terms. The stems are clearly written, distractors are mostly believable, and each item contains only one correct answer, supporting validity (Rules 1.1, 1.2, and 1.7). While the set is generally strong, minor concerns include slightly weaker distractors in a few items (Rule 2.1) and the lack of a visual representation in the algebra tiles item, which could impact clarity (Rule 1.8). Despite these small issues, the items encourage reasoning and successfully assess students’ understanding of algebraic expressions.
Google Gemini Item:
Overall, the five multiple-choice items effectively measure the intended learning outcomes by assessing their ability to simplify and represent algebraic expressions using key skills such as the distributive property and combining like terms. The stems are clear, the distractors are mostly believable, and the items align well with typical instructional conditions. However, there are some minor rule violations like unnecessary and unsimplified material, choices incomplete and not parallel to other choices, and slight formatting and length inconsistencies among answer choices (Rules 2.16, 2.17, 2.18, 1.8, 2.13, 2.1, 2.8). Despite these issues, the set overall provides strong measurement of the targeted skills.
All in all, I beleive that all three collections of items together would make excellent practice for the objective. I may add a few more questions of various levels of skill, but I think they effectively measure the understanding of being able to write, simplify, and create equivalent algebraic expressions that use one variable.