Matrices: Overview
A matrix is a framework for guiding students (or another group of users) through the process of creating a learning or assessment portfolio. In a matrix, portfolio assignments are represented as cells organized into rows and columns with descriptive titles. Matrices are commonly used to track progress across criteria, milestones, or standards (the rows) in relation to different activities, levels, or periods of time (the columns), but the rows and columns can also represent other things or concepts. The intersection of each row and column forms a cell with the row and column labels describing the intended content. The elements within the cell provide a means of guiding and documenting learning, encouraging reflection on the learning experience, and providing feedback and evaluation.
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- Analyze the activity or process that the matrix will support.
- Identify the rows and columns you will need.
- Identify the content needed (instructions, files, forms, etc.) for each cell of the matrix and for the matrix as a whole.
- Draw a diagram showing the organization of the matrix's components. Do NOT omit this step. Matrices are fairly complex and many aspects of them cannot be changed after publication, so it's very important to diagram the matrix and identify the content for each cell before creating them in the Matrices tool.
- If you plan to attach files to provide information to users of the matrix, create those files and store them in Resources in the site containing the matrix.
- Identify the cells in which formative and summative feedback are needed. Before making decisions in this regard, think carefully about the load placed on reviewers (those who provide formative feedback) and evaluators (those who provide summative feedback). Also, keep in mind that after a cell or a matrix has been submitted for evaluation, participants can no longer change it.
- Identify people to provide formative and summative feedback. Be sure they have appropriate permissions. Typically, the people who provide formative feedback are assigned to the Reviewer role and those who provide summative feedback are assigned to the Evaluator role. Role assignments are made in the Site Info tool and the permissions associated with each role are defined in the Matrices tool via the Permissions link.
- If you plan to use non-global forms in the matrix to provide structure for site participant work, reflection prompts, and review and evaluation of work in the cells, store the XML schema documents (.xsd files) files for those forms in Resources. Then add each form schema to the Forms tool so the forms can be incorporated into your matrix. For more information on this step, see [link to Forms tool documentation].
- In most cases, it is good practice to use a single cascading style sheet (CSS) throughout the matrix. If you plan to use a stylesheet other than the default, store the .css file for it in Resources. Then add the .css file to the Styles tool so it can be applied to the matrix. For more information on this step, see [link to Styles tool documentation].
Creating a Matrix
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