14 DAY TRIAL // Microsoft Education Labs is working to streamline the job of mathematics teachers when it comes down to handing over practice problems to students. In this regard, the Redmond-based company has made available for download the Math Worksheet Generator, a tool designed to simplify the creation of math problems. The software giant has integrated the utility with its office productivity suite, especially Office 2007, although the Math Worksheet Generator will work with older versions Office, with certain limitations.
“This is a tool that generates multiple math problems based on a sample, and then creates a worksheet that you can distribute. By analyzing the math problem you provide, or one of the built-in samples, the generator determines the structure of the expression and provides similar problems. We tack on an answer sheet too,” reads an excerpt of the tool’s description.
According to Microsoft, the best mix is the Math Worksheet Generator and Word 2007. Users of the two combined will be able to edit all expressions produced by the math tool in the Word document generated. The same is not valid for older versions of Office Word. While the Math Worksheet Generator will indeed still produce a document with the math problems, the content is not editable.
“If you have an older version of Word, we still create a document, but the expressions are small images that aren't editable. (This is because Word 2007 and higher has more built-in support for inserting Math equations.) If you don't have Word at all, the tool will create HTML versions of the worksheet and answer sheet. If you have a Mac, we didn't forget you, so stay tuned - we're working on a web version that should come out later this year,” Microsoft added.
The Redmond-based company has indicated that Math Worksheet Generator can be leveraged in order to generate a wide range of problems from basic arithmetic through algebra. In the video below, you’ll be able to see Kate Mulcahy, Microsoft Education Labs Program Manager, deliver an in-depth view into Math Worksheet Generator.
Math Worksheet Generator is available for download here.