Commit dcbe23d4 by srpearce

Merge pull request #5311 from edx/sylvia/docs/SFD

Sylvia/docs/sfd
parents 26ad885a 17c8fa81
# Makefile for Sphinx documentation
#
# You can set these variables from the command line.
SPHINXOPTS ?=
SPHINXBUILD ?= sphinx-build
PAPER ?=
BUILDDIR ?= build
# User-friendly check for sphinx-build
ifeq ($(shell which $(SPHINXBUILD) >/dev/null 2>&1; echo $$?), 1)
$(error The '$(SPHINXBUILD)' command was not found. Make sure you have Sphinx installed, then set the SPHINXBUILD environment variable to point to the full path of the '$(SPHINXBUILD)' executable. Alternatively you can add the directory with the executable to your PATH. If you don't have Sphinx installed, grab it from http://sphinx-doc.org/)
endif
Q_FLAG =
ifeq ($(quiet), true)
Q_FLAG = -Q
endif
# Internal variables.
PAPEROPT_a4 = -D latex_paper_size=a4
PAPEROPT_letter = -D latex_paper_size=letter
ALLSPHINXOPTS = $(Q_FLAG) -d $(BUILDDIR)/doctrees -c source $(PAPEROPT_$(PAPER)) $(SPHINXOPTS) source
# the i18n builder cannot share the environment and doctrees with the others
I18NSPHINXOPTS = $(PAPEROPT_$(PAPER)) $(SPHINXOPTS) source
.PHONY: help clean html dirhtml singlehtml pickle json htmlhelp qthelp devhelp epub latex latexpdf text man changes linkcheck doctest gettext
help:
@echo "Please use \`make <target>' where <target> is one of"
@echo " html to make standalone HTML files"
@echo " dirhtml to make HTML files named index.html in directories"
@echo " singlehtml to make a single large HTML file"
@echo " pickle to make pickle files"
@echo " json to make JSON files"
@echo " htmlhelp to make HTML files and a HTML help project"
@echo " qthelp to make HTML files and a qthelp project"
@echo " devhelp to make HTML files and a Devhelp project"
@echo " epub to make an epub"
@echo " latex to make LaTeX files, you can set PAPER=a4 or PAPER=letter"
@echo " latexpdf to make LaTeX files and run them through pdflatex"
@echo " latexpdfja to make LaTeX files and run them through platex/dvipdfmx"
@echo " text to make text files"
@echo " man to make manual pages"
@echo " texinfo to make Texinfo files"
@echo " info to make Texinfo files and run them through makeinfo"
@echo " gettext to make PO message catalogs"
@echo " changes to make an overview of all changed/added/deprecated items"
@echo " xml to make Docutils-native XML files"
@echo " pseudoxml to make pseudoxml-XML files for display purposes"
@echo " linkcheck to check all external links for integrity"
@echo " doctest to run all doctests embedded in the documentation (if enabled)"
clean:
rm -rf $(BUILDDIR)/*
html:
$(SPHINXBUILD) -b html $(ALLSPHINXOPTS) $(BUILDDIR)/html
@echo
@echo "Build finished. The HTML pages are in $(BUILDDIR)/html."
dirhtml:
$(SPHINXBUILD) -b dirhtml $(ALLSPHINXOPTS) $(BUILDDIR)/dirhtml
@echo
@echo "Build finished. The HTML pages are in $(BUILDDIR)/dirhtml."
singlehtml:
$(SPHINXBUILD) -b singlehtml $(ALLSPHINXOPTS) $(BUILDDIR)/singlehtml
@echo
@echo "Build finished. The HTML page is in $(BUILDDIR)/singlehtml."
pickle:
$(SPHINXBUILD) -b pickle $(ALLSPHINXOPTS) $(BUILDDIR)/pickle
@echo
@echo "Build finished; now you can process the pickle files."
json:
$(SPHINXBUILD) -b json $(ALLSPHINXOPTS) $(BUILDDIR)/json
@echo
@echo "Build finished; now you can process the JSON files."
htmlhelp:
$(SPHINXBUILD) -b htmlhelp $(ALLSPHINXOPTS) $(BUILDDIR)/htmlhelp
@echo
@echo "Build finished; now you can run HTML Help Workshop with the" \
".hhp project file in $(BUILDDIR)/htmlhelp."
qthelp:
$(SPHINXBUILD) -b qthelp $(ALLSPHINXOPTS) $(BUILDDIR)/qthelp
@echo
@echo "Build finished; now you can run "qcollectiongenerator" with the" \
".qhcp project file in $(BUILDDIR)/qthelp, like this:"
@echo "# qcollectiongenerator $(BUILDDIR)/qthelp/getting_started.qhcp"
@echo "To view the help file:"
@echo "# assistant -collectionFile $(BUILDDIR)/qthelp/getting_started.qhc"
devhelp:
$(SPHINXBUILD) -b devhelp $(ALLSPHINXOPTS) $(BUILDDIR)/devhelp
@echo
@echo "Build finished."
@echo "To view the help file:"
@echo "# mkdir -p $$HOME/.local/share/devhelp/getting_started"
@echo "# ln -s $(BUILDDIR)/devhelp $$HOME/.local/share/devhelp/getting_started"
@echo "# devhelp"
epub:
$(SPHINXBUILD) -b epub $(ALLSPHINXOPTS) $(BUILDDIR)/epub
@echo
@echo "Build finished. The epub file is in $(BUILDDIR)/epub."
latex:
$(SPHINXBUILD) -b latex $(ALLSPHINXOPTS) $(BUILDDIR)/latex
@echo
@echo "Build finished; the LaTeX files are in $(BUILDDIR)/latex."
@echo "Run \`make' in that directory to run these through (pdf)latex" \
"(use \`make latexpdf' here to do that automatically)."
latexpdf:
$(SPHINXBUILD) -b latex $(ALLSPHINXOPTS) $(BUILDDIR)/latex
@echo "Running LaTeX files through pdflatex..."
$(MAKE) -C $(BUILDDIR)/latex all-pdf
@echo "pdflatex finished; the PDF files are in $(BUILDDIR)/latex."
latexpdfja:
$(SPHINXBUILD) -b latex $(ALLSPHINXOPTS) $(BUILDDIR)/latex
@echo "Running LaTeX files through platex and dvipdfmx..."
$(MAKE) -C $(BUILDDIR)/latex all-pdf-ja
@echo "pdflatex finished; the PDF files are in $(BUILDDIR)/latex."
text:
$(SPHINXBUILD) -b text $(ALLSPHINXOPTS) $(BUILDDIR)/text
@echo
@echo "Build finished. The text files are in $(BUILDDIR)/text."
man:
$(SPHINXBUILD) -b man $(ALLSPHINXOPTS) $(BUILDDIR)/man
@echo
@echo "Build finished. The manual pages are in $(BUILDDIR)/man."
texinfo:
$(SPHINXBUILD) -b texinfo $(ALLSPHINXOPTS) $(BUILDDIR)/texinfo
@echo
@echo "Build finished. The Texinfo files are in $(BUILDDIR)/texinfo."
@echo "Run \`make' in that directory to run these through makeinfo" \
"(use \`make info' here to do that automatically)."
info:
$(SPHINXBUILD) -b texinfo $(ALLSPHINXOPTS) $(BUILDDIR)/texinfo
@echo "Running Texinfo files through makeinfo..."
make -C $(BUILDDIR)/texinfo info
@echo "makeinfo finished; the Info files are in $(BUILDDIR)/texinfo."
gettext:
$(SPHINXBUILD) -b gettext $(I18NSPHINXOPTS) $(BUILDDIR)/locale
@echo
@echo "Build finished. The message catalogs are in $(BUILDDIR)/locale."
changes:
$(SPHINXBUILD) -b changes $(ALLSPHINXOPTS) $(BUILDDIR)/changes
@echo
@echo "The overview file is in $(BUILDDIR)/changes."
linkcheck:
$(SPHINXBUILD) -b linkcheck $(ALLSPHINXOPTS) $(BUILDDIR)/linkcheck
@echo
@echo "Link check complete; look for any errors in the above output " \
"or in $(BUILDDIR)/linkcheck/output.txt."
doctest:
$(SPHINXBUILD) -b doctest $(ALLSPHINXOPTS) $(BUILDDIR)/doctest
@echo "Testing of doctests in the sources finished, look at the " \
"results in $(BUILDDIR)/doctest/output.txt."
xml:
$(SPHINXBUILD) -b xml $(ALLSPHINXOPTS) $(BUILDDIR)/xml
@echo
@echo "Build finished. The XML files are in $(BUILDDIR)/xml."
pseudoxml:
$(SPHINXBUILD) -b pseudoxml $(ALLSPHINXOPTS) $(BUILDDIR)/pseudoxml
@echo
@echo "Build finished. The pseudo-XML files are in $(BUILDDIR)/pseudoxml."
.. _SFD_ORA:
###########################################
Student Guide to Open Response Assessments
###########################################
In an open response assessment, you'll provide a written response to a question that may not have a simple or definitive answer. For some open response assessments, you can submit an image to accompany your written response.
Open response assessments may include a peer assessment, a self assessment, or both. With a peer assessment, you'll assess, or grade, responses that several of your peers have submitted, and several of your peers will assess your response. With a self assessment, you'll assess your own response. To assess a response, you'll compare the response to a rubric that the instructor provides.
A *rubric* is a list of expectations that a response should meet. Rubrics are made of *criteria* and *options*. *Criteria* describe characteristics that the response should have, such as topics the response should cover. The *options* for each of the criteria describe how well the response satisfies the criteria. In the following image, you can see a rubric with two criteria. Each of the criteria has several options.
.. image:: /Images/PA_S_Rubric.png
:alt: Rubric showing criteria and options
:width: 500
When you assess a response, you'll select the option that best describes the response for each of the criteria.
Some instructors create a **Top Responses** section that shows the top-scoring responses for the assignment and the scores that these responses received. If an instructor creates this section, you can see it below your score after you've completed each step of the assignment.
************************
Student Instructions
************************
When you come to an open response assessment in the course, you'll see the question and a response field. After you submit your response, you'll assess some of your peers' responses, your own response, or both, depending on the assignment. You can see the steps that your assignment includes below the response field.
.. image:: /Images/PA_S_AsmtWithResponse.png
:alt: Open response assessment example with question, response field, and assessment types and status labeled
:width: 550
Here, we'll walk you through the process of completing an open response assessment that includes a student training step, a peer assessment, and a self assessment:
#. Submit your response to a question.
#. Learn to assess responses.
#. Assess responses that other students have submitted.
#. Assess your own response to the question.
#. Receive your score and provide feedback on the peer assessment.
At any time during the assessment, you can see your progress through the assignment at the bottom of the page under **Your Grade**. A message tells you the steps that you still have to perform before you can receive your grade. For example, you may see the following message:
.. code-block:: xml
Not Completed
You have not completed the peer assessment step and self assessment step of this problem.
=====================
Submit Your Response
=====================
Read the question carefully. Some instructors include important information in the question, such as how long your response must be or specific topics your response must cover.
.. note:: Your response must contain fewer than 10,000 words (approximately the equivalent of 20 pages of 8.5x11 paper, with text single-spaced).
Type your response into the field under **Your Response**, and then click **Submit your response and move to the next step**. If you don't want to finish your response all at once, you can click **Save Your Progress** to save a draft of your response, and then come back and submit it later.
After you submit your response, if other students have already submitted responses, the peer assessment step starts immediately. However, you don't have to start grading right away. If you want to stop working and come back later, just refresh or reopen your browser when you come back. New peer responses will be available for you to grade.
If no other students have submitted responses yet, you'll see the following message:
.. code-block:: xml
Waiting for Peer Responses
All submitted peer responses have been assessed. Check back later to see if more students
have submitted responses. You'll receive your grade after you complete the peer assessment
and self assessment steps, and after your peers have assessed your response.
Note that you can view your own response at any time after you submit it. To do this, click the **Your Response** heading to expand the response field. You'll see your response, the status of your response, and information about additional steps you have to complete before you receive your grade.
.. image:: /Images/PA_S_ReviewResponse.png
:alt: Image of the Response field collapsed and then expanded
:width: 500
Submit an Image with Your Response
***********************************
Some assignments ask you to submit an image with your text response. If you can submit an image, you'll see buttons that you'll use to upload your image.
.. image:: /Images/PA_Upload_ChooseFile.png
:alt: Open response assessment example with Choose File and Upload Your Image buttons circled
:width: 500
To upload your image:
#. Click **Choose File**.
#. In the dialog box that opens, select the file that you want, and then click **Open**.
#. When the dialog box closes, click **Upload Your Image**.
.. note:: The image file must be a .jpg or .png file, and it must be smaller than 5 MB in size.
Your image appears below the response field, and the name of the image file appears next to the **Choose File** button. If you want to change the image, follow steps 1-3 again. You can only upload one image.
.. image:: /Images/PA_Upload_WithImage.png
:alt: Example response with an image of Paris
:width: 500
.. note:: You must submit text as well as your image in your response. You can't submit a response that doesn't contain text.
============================
Learn to Assess Responses
============================
In this step, you'll learn to assess responses effectively by reviewing and assessing sample responses that the instructor has provided. You'll try to select the same options for the response that the instructor selected.
.. note:: Not all instructors provide sample responses for training. If the instructor doesn't provide sample responses, this step won't appear in the assignment.
After you submit your response, one of the sample responses opens, together with the rubric for the assignment. Read the sample response and the rubric carefully, select the options that you think best reflect the response, and then click **Compare your selections with the instructor's selections**.
* If all of your selections are the same as the instructor's selections, the next sample response opens automatically.
* If any option that you select is not the same as the instructor's selection, you'll see the response again, and the following message appears above the response:
.. code-block:: xml
Learning to Assess Responses
Your assessment differs from the instructor's assessment of this response. Review the
response and consider why the instructor may have assessed it differently. Then, try
the assessment again.
For each of the criteria, you'll see one of the following two messages, depending on whether your selections matched those of the instructor:
.. code-block:: xml
Selected Options Agree
The option you selected is the option that the instructor selected.
.. code-block:: xml
Selected Options Differ
The option you selected is not the option that the instructor selected.
In the following example, the student chose one correct option and one incorrect option.
.. image:: /Images/PA_TrainingAssessment_Scored.png
:alt: Sample training response, scored
:width: 500
You'll continue to assess the sample response until the options you select for all criteria match the options the instructor selected.
When you've successfully assessed all of the sample responses, you'll move to the next step in the assignment.
=====================
Assess Peer Responses
=====================
When peer assessment starts, you'll see the original question, another student's response, and the rubric for the assignment. Above the response you can see how many responses you'll assess and how many you've already assessed.
.. image:: /Images/PA_S_PeerAssmt.png
:alt: In-progress peer assessment
:width: 500
You'll assess these responses by selecting options in the rubric, the same way you assessed the sample responses in the "learn to assess responses" step. Additionally, this step has a field below the rubric where you can provide comments about the student's response.
.. note:: Some assessments have an additional **Comments** field for one or more of the assessment's individual criteria. You can enter up to 300 characters in these fields. In the following image, both criteria have a **Comments** field. There is also a field for overall comments on the response.
.. image:: /Images/PA_CriterionAndOverallComments.png
:alt: Rubric with comment fields under each criterion and under overall response
:width: 600
After you've selected options in the rubric and provided additional comments about the response, click **Submit your assessment and move to response #<number>**.
When you submit your assessment of the first student's response, another response opens for you. Assess this response in the same way that you assessed the first response, and then submit your assessment. You'll repeat these steps until you've assessed the required number of responses. The number in the upper-right corner of the step is updated as you assess each response.
Assess Additional Peer Responses
********************************
You can assess more peer responses if you want to. After you assess the required number of responses, the step "collapses" so that just the **Assess Peers** heading is visible.
.. image:: /Images/PA_PAHeadingCollapsed.png
:width: 500
:alt: The peer assessment step with just the heading visible
To assess more responses, click the **Assess Peers** heading to expand the step. Then, click **Continue Assessing Peers**.
.. image:: /Images/PA_ContinueGrading.png
:width: 500
:alt: The peer assessment step expanded so that "Continue Assessing Peers" is visible
=====================
Assess Your Response
=====================
When you've completed the required number of peer assessments, your self assessment opens. You'll see your response along with the same rubric that you used in the peer assessment step. Assess your response, and then click **Submit Your Assessment**.
==========================================
Receive Your Score and Provide Feedback
==========================================
After you submit your self assessment, if other students are still assessing your response, you'll see the following message under the **Assess Your Response** step.
.. code-block:: xml
Your Grade: Waiting for Peer Assessment
Your response is still undergoing peer assessment. After your peers have assessed your
response, you'll see their feedback and receive your final grade.
If you see this message, keep checking back periodically until the peer assessments of your work are complete.
When peer assessment is complete, you can see the scores you received from all of your peers, as well as your self assessment. You can also see any additional comments that your peers have provided.
.. image:: /Images/PA_AllScores.png
:alt: A student's response with peer and self assessment scores
:width: 550
If you want to, you can provide feedback on the scores that you received under **Provide Feedback on Peer Assessments**.
=================================================
Assess Additional Peer Responses (optional)
=================================================
If you've assessed the required number of peer responses and completed your self assessment, you can assess additional peer responses. To do this, click the **Assess Peers** heading. If any responses remain to be assessed, a new response opens.
***********************
Peer Assessment Scoring
***********************
Peer assessments are scored by criteria. An individual criterion's score is the *median*, not average, of the scores that each peer assessor gave that criterion. For example, if the Ideas criterion in a peer assessment receives a 10 from one student, a 7 from a second student, and an 8 from a third student, the Ideas criterion's score is 8.
Your final score for a peer assessment is the sum of the median scores for each individual criterion.
For example, a response may receive the following scores from peer assessors:
.. list-table::
:widths: 25 10 10 10 10
:stub-columns: 1
:header-rows: 1
* - Criterion Name
- Peer 1
- Peer 2
- Peer 3
- Median
* - Ideas (out of 10)
- 10
- 7
- 8
- **8**
* - Content (out of 10)
- 7
- 9
- 8
- **8**
* - Grammar (out of 5)
- 4
- 4
- 5
- **4**
To calculate the final score, the system adds the median scores for each criterion:
**Ideas median (8/10) + Content median (8/10) + Grammar median (4/5) = final score (20/25)**
Note, again, that your final score is not the median of the scores that each individual peer assessor gave the response.
==================================
View Top Responses (optional)
==================================
If the instructor has included a **Top Responses** section, you can see the highest-scoring responses that your peers have submitted. This section only appears after you've completed all the steps of the assignment.
.. image:: /Images/PA_TopResponses.png
:alt: Section that shows the text and scores of the top three responses for the assignment
:width: 500
******************************************************
Try an Example Open Response Assessment Problem
******************************************************
If you want to try an example open response assessment problem, check out the edX demonstration course, `DemoX <https://www.edx.org/course/edx/edx-demox-1-demox-4116#.VBxWCLZ8GoV>`_. In addition to giving you a tour of a typical edX course, DemoX contains `information about open response assessments <https://courses.edx.org/courses/edX/DemoX.1/2014/courseware/70a1e3505d83411bb72393048ac4afd8/1e5cd9f233a2453f83731ccbd863b731/>`_ and an `example peer assessment <https://courses.edx.org/courses/edX/DemoX.1/2014/courseware/70a1e3505d83411bb72393048ac4afd8/1e5cd9f233a2453f83731ccbd863b731/2>`_.
.. _Certificates:
##############################
Student Guide to Certificates
##############################
Nearly every course on edx.org offers a certificate when you complete a course
successfully. The certificate includes your name, the name of the course, the
edX partner university that created the course, and the names of one or more
members of the course team. The certificate also lists a URL that viewers can
use to verify the authenticity of the certificate.
.. image:: /Images/SFD_HCCert.png
:width: 500
:alt: Example edX honor code certificate
Because edX courses are not credit-bearing courses, the certificate doesn't
include a grade or specify the number of credit hours that the course might earn
in a university. Additionally, transcripts are not available for edX course
work.
.. note:: Your certificate lists the full name that appears on your dashboard.
Before your course ends, make sure that the name on your dashboard is correct.
To change your full name, go to your dashboard, and then click **edit** under
**Full Name** in the left pane.
****************************
Selecting a Certificate Type
****************************
Three types of certificates may be available for courses on edx.org: honor code,
verified, and XSeries. You select the certificate type you want when you
register for a course.
Honor code and verified certificates show that you've completed a single honor
code or verified course. An XSeries certificate shows that you've completed a
series of courses, known as an XSeries.
The type of certificate appears in a color-coded tag under the course image on
your dashboard:
.. image:: /Images/Dashboard_CertTypes.png
:width: 500
:alt: Dashboard with color indications for audit, honor code, and verified courses
.. note:: A very small number of courses do not offer certificates. These courses
have the same rigorous material as other edX courses. If you want evidence that
you completed the course, you can print a copy of the **Progress** page in the course.
=========================
Honor Code Certificates
=========================
Honor code certificates are free of charge to all students and are available for
all except a few specific courses. When you audit a course, or you take a course
that doesn't offer verified certificates, you'll automatically receive an honor
code certificate if you meet the requirements to pass the course.
.. image:: /Images/SFD_HCCert.png
:width: 500
:alt: Example edX honor code certificate
=========================
Verified Certificates
=========================
A verified certificate shows not only that you successfully completed your edX
course, but also that you've verified your identity by using a webcam and an
official ID from your country or region. You may want to work toward a verified
certificate if you plan to use your course for job applications, promotions, or
school applications.
.. image:: /Images/SFD_VerCert.png
:width: 500
:alt: Example edX honor code certificate
Verified certificates are available for select courses. If a course offers
verified certificates, you'll see a "Verified" badge on the course image in the
list of courses on edx.org:
.. image:: /Images/SFD_VerifiedBadge.png
:width: 200
:alt: Image of DemoX course listing with a verified badge
Verified certificates are available for a fee that varies by course. The fee
helps support edX. If you want to help support edX, you can choose to pay more
than the minimum required fee. For more information about the fee for a
particular course, see the About page for that course.
When you register for a verified course, you'll use a webcam to submit a photo
of yourself and of an official ID to edX's secure authorization service. We
encrypt your photos and use the highest levels of security available to protect
your data. During the course, you may be asked to use the same method to re-
verify your identity periodically. If your computer doesn't have a webcam, you
must register for the verified certificate on a computer that has a webcam.
.. For more information about registering for a verified certificate and paying
.. the fee, see :ref:`SFD_registration`. (this topic not written yet)
For a list of all courses that offer verified
certificates, see the `edX course catalog <https://www.edx.org/course-
list/allschools/verified/allcourses>`_.
If you have a question or an issue with billing for a verified certificate,
contact us at `billing@edx.org <mailto://billing@edx.org>`_. Include your order
number, but please **do not include your credit card information**.
=========================
XSeries Certificates
=========================
XSeries certificates show that you've successfully earned a verified certificate
for each course in a series of courses that make up an XSeries.
****************************
Changing a Certificate Type
****************************
You may register for one type of certificate but later decide that you want a
different type of certificate. For example, you may register for an honor code
certificate, but you might later want to change to a verified certificate. You
can change the certificate type until registration for verified certificates
ends for your course, usually two or more weeks after the course starts.
* To upgrade to a verified certificate, go to your dashboard, and then click
**Challenge Yourself!** under the name of your course. You'll then follow the
onscreen instructions to register for a verified certificate.
If registration for verified certificates has closed, you can't change your
certificate type. Registration for verified certificates typically closes two
weeks after the course has started, or after at least one assignment due date
has passed.
* To change from a verified certificate to an honor code certificate, go to your
dashboard, and then click **Unregister** under the name of your course. The
edX support team will contact you with information about a refund. You must
change to an honor code certificate before verified certificate registration
closes for your course if you want to receive a refund.
If you don't see the **Unregister** button, registration for verified
certificates has closed. Registration for verified certificates typically
closes two weeks after the course has started, or after at least one
assignment due date has passed.
If you have questions about changing your certificate type, you can contact the
edX support team at `technical@edx.org <mailto://technical@edx.org>`_.
*************************
Receiving a Certificate
*************************
Certificates are distributed shortly after a course ends--usually within two
weeks. After the course ends, you'll see the following message under the course
name on your dashboard:
``Final course details are being wrapped up at this time. Your final standing
will be available shortly.``
When your certificate is ready, your dashboard will show you your final grade
for the class as well as a link to your certificate.
.. image:: /Images/SFD_Cert_DownloadButton.png
:width: 500
:alt: Dashboard with course name, grade, and link to certificate
If you want a paper copy of your certificate, you can click **Download Your Certificate (PDF)** to download and print the certificate from your dashboard.
.. note:: Your certificate lists the full name that appears on your dashboard.
Before your course ends, make sure that the name on your dashboard is correct.
To change your full name, go to your dashboard, and then click **edit** under
**Full Name** in the left pane.
=============================================
Receiving Certificates for Self-Paced Courses
=============================================
While most edX courses have specific start and end dates, a few courses are
self-paced. You can start these courses anytime and work through the courseware
at your own pace.
Receiving a certificate for a self-paced course is similar to receiving a
certificate for a regular course. After you've completed all course assignments
and the final exam (if applicable), a certificate is generated automatically.
You don't have to complete any additional steps to obtain your certificate.
Be aware, however, that different self-paced courses issue certificates at
different intervals. Some courses issue certificates once a month, and others issue
certificates less frequently. For more information about your course's specific
certificate schedule, see the About page or the **Course Info** tab for your
course.
.. _Math Formatting:
#####################################################################
Student Guide to Entering Mathematical and Scientific Expressions
#####################################################################
For some math, science, and other problems, you'll enter a numerical or math expression, such as a formula, into a response field. You enter your response as plain text, and the edX system then converts your text into numbers and symbols that appear below the response field:
.. image:: /Images/Math4.png
:alt: Image of a numerical input probem rendered by the parser
.. image:: /Images/Math5.png
:alt: Image of a numerical input probem rendered by the parser
.. image:: /Images/Math3.png
:alt: Image of a numerical input probem rendered by the parser
.. image:: /Images/Math2.png
:alt: Image of a numerical input probem rendered by the parser
.. image:: /Images/Math1.png
:alt: Image of a numerical input probem rendered by the parser
You may recognize parts of this system if you've used math programs before.
****************************
Entering Math Expressions
****************************
When you enter your plain text into the response field, follow these guidelines:
* Use standard arithmetic operation symbols: the plus sign (+), minus sign (-), multiplication sign (*), and division sign (/).
* Indicate multiplication explicitly. That is, instead of ``mc^2`` type ``m*c^2``, and instead of ``5a+4b+3c`` type ``5*a+4*b+3*c``.
* Use parentheses to specify the order of operations and to make your expression as clear as possible.
* Use a caret (^) to indicate an exponent.
* Use an underscore (_) to indicate a subscript.
* Avoid whitespace.
* Don't use equal signs (=).
* Because the system is case-sensitive, make sure you use uppercase and lowercase letters carefully.
* Only use curved parentheses. Don't use brackets ([]) or braces ({}).
For more information about the types of characters you can use, see below.
============
Numbers
============
You can use the following types of numbers:
- Integers: 2520
- Fractions: 2/3
- Normal floats: 3.14
- Floats with no integer part: .98
The largest number you can use is **1.7977e+308**, which is the largest float
possible in the Python programming language.
====================================
Scientific Notation and Affixes
====================================
To indicate scientific notation, enter the letter ``e`` and the exponent that you want. You can enter positive exponents as well as negative exponents. If you enter a negative exponent, make sure to include a minus sign.
For example, type ``0.012`` as ``1.2e-2`` and ``-440,000`` as ``-4.4e+5`` or ``-4.4e5``.
You can also use the following International System of Units (SI) affixes:
.. list-table::
* - Affix
- Stands for
- Example
* - %
- percent
- 0.01 = 1e-2
* - k
- kilo
- 1000 = 1e3
* - M
- mega
- 1e6
* - G
- giga
- 1e9
* - T
- tera
- 1e12
* - c
- centi
- 0.01 = 1e-2
* - m
- milli
- 0.001 = 1e-3
* - u
- micro
- 1e-6
* - n
- nano
- 1e-9
* - p
- pico
- 1e-12
============
Constants
============
You can use the following constants:
- ``i`` and ``j`` as ``sqrt(-1)``
- ``e`` as Euler's number (2.718...)
- ``g``: gravity (9.80 m/s^2)
- ``pi``
- ``k``: the Boltzmann constant (~1.38e-23 in Joules/Kelvin)
- ``c``: the speed of light in m/s (2.998e8)
- ``T``: the positive difference between 0K and 0°C (273.15)
- ``q``: the fundamental charge (~1.602e-19 Coloumbs)
==================
Greek Letters
==================
To use any of the following Greek letters, type the name of the letter in the response field.
.. list-table::
:widths: 20 20 20 20
:header-rows: 0
* - alpha
- beta
- gamma
- delta
* - epsilon
- varepsilon
- zeta
- eta
* - theta
- vartheta
- iota
- kappa
* - lambda
- mu
- nu
- xi
* - pi
- rho
- sigma
- tau
* - upsilon
- phi
- varphi
- chi
* - psi
- omega
-
-
.. note:: ``epsilon`` is the lunate version, whereas ``varepsilon`` looks like a backward 3.
============
Functions
============
To use a function, type the letters that represent the function, and then surround the expression in that function with parentheses. For example, to represent the square root of ``4*a+b``, type ``sqrt(4*a+b)``.
You can use the following functions:
* Common functions: sqrt, log10, log2, ln, exp, abs
* Trigonometric functions: sin, cos, tan, sec, csc, cot
* Their inverses: arcsin, arccos, arctan, arcsec, arccsc, arccot
* Hyperbolic trigonometric functions and their inverses: sinh, cosh, tanh, sech, csch, coth, arcsinh, arccosh, arctanh, arcsech, arccsch, arccoth
* Factorials: Enter factorials as ``fact(3)`` or ``factorial(3)``. You must use integers. For example, you can't enter ``fact(1.5)``.
* A "parallel resistors" operator (``||``). For example, ``1 || 2`` represents the resistance of a pair of parallel resistors (of resistance 1 and 2 ohms), evaluating to 2/3 (ohms).
# -*- coding: utf-8 -*-
#
import sys, os
# on_rtd is whether we are on readthedocs.org, this line of code grabbed from docs.readthedocs.org
on_rtd = os.environ.get('READTHEDOCS', None) == 'True'
if not on_rtd: # only import and set the theme if we're building docs locally
import sphinx_rtd_theme
html_theme = 'sphinx_rtd_theme'
html_theme_path = [sphinx_rtd_theme.get_html_theme_path()]
sys.path.append(os.path.abspath('../../../'))
sys.path.append(os.path.abspath('../../'))
#from docs.shared.conf import *
sys.path.insert(0, os.path.abspath('.'))
master_doc = 'index'
# Add any paths that contain templates here, relative to this directory.
#templates_path.append('source/_templates')
# Add any paths that contain custom static files (such as style sheets) here,
# relative to this directory. They are copied after the builtin static files,
# so a file named "default.css" will overwrite the builtin "default.css".
#html_static_path.append('source/_static')
# General information about the project.
project = u'edX Guide for Students'
copyright = u'2014, edX'
# The short X.Y version.
version = ''
# The full version, including alpha/beta/rc tags.
release = ''
.. Getting_Started documentation master file, created by
sphinx-quickstart on Tue Apr 16 11:19:12 2013.
You can adapt this file completely to your liking, but it should at least
contain the root `toctree` directive.
edX Guide for Students
========================================
.. toctree::
:numbered:
:maxdepth: 2
SFD_certificates
SFD_mathformatting
SFD_ORA
\ No newline at end of file
# Makefile for Sphinx LaTeX output
ALLDOCS = $(basename $(wildcard *.tex))
ALLPDF = $(addsuffix .pdf,$(ALLDOCS))
ALLDVI = $(addsuffix .dvi,$(ALLDOCS))
# Prefix for archive names
ARCHIVEPRREFIX =
# Additional LaTeX options
LATEXOPTS =
all: $(ALLPDF)
all-pdf: $(ALLPDF)
all-dvi: $(ALLDVI)
all-ps: all-dvi
for f in *.dvi; do dvips $$f; done
all-pdf-ja:
for f in *.pdf *.png *.gif *.jpg *.jpeg; do extractbb $$f; done
for f in *.tex; do platex -kanji=utf8 $(LATEXOPTS) $$f; done
for f in *.tex; do platex -kanji=utf8 $(LATEXOPTS) $$f; done
for f in *.tex; do platex -kanji=utf8 $(LATEXOPTS) $$f; done
-for f in *.idx; do mendex -U -f -d "`basename $$f .idx`.dic" -s python.ist $$f; done
for f in *.tex; do platex -kanji=utf8 $(LATEXOPTS) $$f; done
for f in *.tex; do platex -kanji=utf8 $(LATEXOPTS) $$f; done
for f in *.dvi; do dvipdfmx $$f; done
zip: all-$(FMT)
mkdir $(ARCHIVEPREFIX)docs-$(FMT)
cp $(ALLPDF) $(ARCHIVEPREFIX)docs-$(FMT)
zip -q -r -9 $(ARCHIVEPREFIX)docs-$(FMT).zip $(ARCHIVEPREFIX)docs-$(FMT)
rm -r $(ARCHIVEPREFIX)docs-$(FMT)
tar: all-$(FMT)
mkdir $(ARCHIVEPREFIX)docs-$(FMT)
cp $(ALLPDF) $(ARCHIVEPREFIX)docs-$(FMT)
tar cf $(ARCHIVEPREFIX)docs-$(FMT).tar $(ARCHIVEPREFIX)docs-$(FMT)
rm -r $(ARCHIVEPREFIX)docs-$(FMT)
bz2: tar
bzip2 -9 -k $(ARCHIVEPREFIX)docs-$(FMT).tar
# The number of LaTeX runs is quite conservative, but I don't expect it
# to get run often, so the little extra time won't hurt.
%.dvi: %.tex
latex $(LATEXOPTS) '$<'
latex $(LATEXOPTS) '$<'
latex $(LATEXOPTS) '$<'
-makeindex -s python.ist '$(basename $<).idx'
latex $(LATEXOPTS) '$<'
latex $(LATEXOPTS) '$<'
%.pdf: %.tex
pdflatex $(LATEXOPTS) '$<'
pdflatex $(LATEXOPTS) '$<'
pdflatex $(LATEXOPTS) '$<'
-makeindex -s python.ist '$(basename $<).idx'
pdflatex $(LATEXOPTS) '$<'
pdflatex $(LATEXOPTS) '$<'
clean:
rm -f *.dvi *.log *.ind *.aux *.toc *.syn *.idx *.out *.ilg *.pla
.PHONY: all all-pdf all-dvi all-ps clean
.PHONY: all-pdf-ja
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