Dynamic Study Modules:
Test and improve your knowledge

1. First, you test your knowledge by answering multiple choice questions. If you’re confident about your answer, select it twice. If you’re unsure, select one or two possible answers with a single click or tap. When you have no idea, it’s best to select "I don't know yet". There are no scoring penalties for admitting you don't know an answer or for submitting an incorrect answer.
   Show the initial on-screen instructions for submitting answers

   

2. Check your module question progress as you work. The dark green bars at the top of the page indicate mastered questions. (See the section below about how to master a question.) Choose the down arrow for more details about your question progress. Computer or tablet users: You may want to keep this detailed view open as you work.

   

3. Learn what you didn’t know earlier. If you didn’t initially answer questions correctly and with confidence in a question set, read the correct answers and explanations ("WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW") so you can answer these questions correctly when you see them again later in the module.
4. Master the module so you can review or practice later. To practice, you can choose to answer only questions you missed (Smart Refresh) or all module questions (Refresh). To view statistics about your work on all completed Dynamic Study Modules, choose My DSM Progress or Course Report.

Finishing a question set includes stepping through the correct answers and explanations for questions you missed in that set. You can tell that you’re at the end of a question set when you see the Keep Going button.

• Does my course contain Dynamic Study Modules?
  If you see the  Practice, study, or review questions link (top right) or the Dynamic Study Modules link in the ”Welcome back!" area of the Course Home , this means modules are available for your course.
• You cannot print Dynamic Study Modules.
• Can I work on Dynamic Study Modules on my mobile device?
  Use a browser to access Dynamic Study Modules on a tablet. (The former Dynamic Study Modules app for phones is no longer available from app stores.)
• How long can I continue to access Dynamic Study Modules?
  You can continue to work in these study modules until your Mastering course ends. This applies to any assigned modules (look for the  torch icon before the assignment name or "Dynamic Study Module" at the end of the assignment name) as well as any modules you may work on for independent study.

Dynamic Study Module questions are based on content from your textbook or other resource upon which your course is based. Any assigned modules are drawn from the same pool of modules available for independent study.

Questions are organized as follows:

• Modules: Each textbook chapter (or other content grouping) contains question groups, such as First Group, Second Group, etc., known as modules. A module usually contains about 25 unique questions. Any Dynamic Study Module assignments in your course contain one module each.
• Question sets: When you begin a module, each question set usually contains about 8 questions for you to answer. The question set also provides correct answers and explanations ("WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW") so you can learn material you didn't know earlier. These same questions are repeated later in the module until you can master them. As you get closer to mastering the module, there are fewer questions in a question set.

If Dynamic Study Modules aren't available for all chapters: Check back later. Dynamic Study Modules can be added to a Mastering course at any time.

You can master a module question in any of these ways. After you master ALL module questions, the module is also considered "mastered" (completed).

* If you answer correctly the next time: You must then answer the question two times in a row (that is, the same as for INCORRECT above).

After you master all questions in a module, you can review or refresh the mastered module for more practice. See sections below for more detail.

You can open Dynamic Study Modules as assignments or for independent study from your Mastering course on a computer.

Open modules as assignments (computer)

1. Open any Dynamic Study Module assignments from the Mastering Course Home.
   • Dynamic Study Module assignments have a torch symbol before the assignment name. (Screen reader users: DSM appears before the assignment name.)
   • The title for assigned modules contains the label includes “Dynamic Study Module”, usually at the end.
     
2. Begin answering questions. For more details, see "Work on Dynamic Study Modules" below.

You can also work on any assigned modules by opening...
the appropriate chapter and group name from the list of modules in the Dynamic Study Modules independent study area. (Your score is reported to your Mastering Scores page, if the module is assigned.) See the next section for how to open modules for independent study.

Open modules for independent study (computer)

1. Select either the  Practice, study, or review questions link (top right) or the Dynamic Study Modules link in the ”Welcome back!" area of the Mastering Course Home.

   A list of chapters that match the textbook for your course then opens in a new window or tab. (Some chapters may not have Dynamic Study Modules available.)

2. Expand a chapter name to view the list of modules it contains.
3. Select Start to open a module and begin answering questions in the first question set (or select Continue, if you've opened the module before). For more instructions, see "Work on Dynamic Study Modules" below.

   Screen reader users: Instead of "Start", choose Begin Learning (or Continue Learning, if you've opened the module before). 

Any Dynamic Study Modules your instructor may assign are from the same set of modules available to you for independent study. You can work on assigned modules EITHER from an assignment or from the independent study area, as described above. Either way, your score is reported to your Mastering Scores page.

Sign in to your Mastering course in a browser on a tablet.

For independent study — Select either the  Practice, study, or review questions link (top right) or the Dynamic Study Modules link in the ”Welcome back!" area of the Course Home.

For Dynamic Study Module assignments — Open the assigned module from the Course Home (look for the  torch icon or an assignment name ending in "Dynamic Study Module").

To enlarge images on touch-screen tablets —
Tap on a learning image, such as a labeled diagram, so that the image opens in a new tab. You can them zoom in on the image for easier reading.

For more instructions, see “Work on Dynamic Study Modules” below.

• Gap Finder Diagnostic modules are a diagnostic and remediation resource, compared with Dynamic Study Modules which help you to learn and master topics.
• When Gap Finder Diagnostic modules are assigned in the beginning of the course, complete these before their due date. Otherwise you won't receive any credit for the assignment.
• You receive full credit (all points) for Gap Finder Diagnostic module assignments you complete before their due date. This is true regardless of any incorrect answers.
• A Gap Finder Diagnostic module identifies any gaps in your knowledge and recommends study modules targeted for your areas of weakness. The recommended study modules may not match Dynamic Study Modules in your course.

After you open a module, you work through its self-quiz, study, and retention process. If the first module is "How Dynamic Study Modules Work", this module introduces you to Dynamic Study Modules.

1. Start answering questions. There's only one correct answer to each multiple-choice question.

   In a Gap Finder Diagnostic module: Select Take gap finder to begin. For each question, select the single answer you think is correct.

   Sample Gap Finder question page

   

   In Dynamic Study Modules for learning: Select Start learning to begin. If you're sure of the answer, double-click or double-tap your answer choice. If you're unsure, click or tap once to select either a single answer choice or two answer choices. If you have no idea what the answer may be, choose “I don’t know yet”.

2. Submit your answers.
   

   In a Gap Finder Diagnostic module
   Keep submitting answers until you reach the end of the Gap Finder questions. This is a diagnostic module to see what you know. If you have difficulty answering a question, you can select Flag for later review.

   In Dynamic Study Modules
   When you submit an answer other than “I don’t know yet”, you're informed whether your answer choice was correct, incorrect, or whether one of your two answer choices is correct. There are no grading penalties for admitting you don't know an answer or for submitting an incorrect answer. You gain credit as you complete question sets on your way to mastering the module before its due date.

3. Learn what you didn't earlier.
   In learning modules (not Gap Finder Diagnostic modules)
   After you answer questions in a question set, read the correct answers and explanations for any questions you answered incorrectly, were unsure about, or for which you chose "I don't know yet." Reviewing this information helps you answer these same questions correctly and confidently when they reappear in a later question set.

   Review of questions you answered correctly is optional
   Choose "review correct answers".

   Important about scoring of assigned modules
   For full assignment credit, you must master the module before its due date. The Mastering Scores page shows credit for your completed questions only AFTER you finish each question set. Finishing a question set includes stepping through the correct answers and explanations for questions you missed in that set. You can tell that you’re at the end of a question set when you see the Keep Going button.

4. Continue responding and learning until you've mastered all question sets in the module. As you answer questions, your progress is represented in the upper right. Choose the down arrow for more details. Mastered questions no longer appear in later question sets for the current learning module. (See above section about how to master a question.) This step applies to learning modules, not Gap Finder diagnostic modules.
5. Review or refresh your knowledge.
   After you master a module by completing all of its questions, you can always return to it during the course to help you study or practice. See next sections for more information.

   For a Gap Finder Diagnostic module
   Select Review questions from the Results page for the completed Gap Finder. The page that opens shows you whether your responses were correct or incorrect, as well as whether you flagged any questions for later review.

After you finish answering questions in a question set, you can review the correct answers and explanations for this set of questions. This applies to Dynamic Study Modules for learning, not Gap Finder Diagnostic modules.

• For questions you missed
  Reviewing answers and explanation helps you to prepare (study and learn) for the next time you will be asked these same questions in another question set. You MUST complete this review to get credit for questions you mastered in an assigned module.

• For questions you answered correctly
  This review is optional. Reading the explanation for a correct answer can help you to better understand the material for other work in the course.

See the next section about the optional Review feature after you have mastered all questions in a module.

After you've mastered all questions in a learning module, you can optionally review the correct answers and explanations by returning to the mastered module. (To practice answering module questions again, see the next section about refreshing a completed module.)

Open a mastered module for review

• . Select the  Dynamic Study Module link (top right) from the Mastering Course Home.

  You will see all modules available for the course. Open a chapter to view its completed modules. Choose Review to open the Review Module page. If you started but didn’t complete a particular module yet, only the Continue option is available.

  -OR-

• Open an assigned mastered module from any Mastering assignment access point.
  The Dynamic Study Module opens to the Review Module page.

Tips to review a mastered module

• Begin reviewing at the top of the list. Questions you had the most difficulty with appear at the top so you target identified areas of weakness first.
• Meaning of the answer attempt icons on the right: On a computer or tablet, select the i icon after attempts (top right) to view the icon legend.

  

• To review correct answers: The quickest way to review the correct answers on a computer or tablet is to choose Expand All from the Review Module page. To review individual correct answers when only questions are shown on the Review Module page, select the questions individually.
• To review explanations: The quickest way to review explanations on a computer or tablet is to choose Expand All and then select “Go to explanation” to review individual answers. Select “Back to review” to return to the expanded list of questions with correct answers.
• To review choices when correct answer is either all or none of the provided responses: Open the Explanation page for the question on a computer or tablet and then choose "Previous". The question appears with all of its answer choices and the correct answer is marked with a check mark.
  
  

After you've mastered all questions in a Dynamic Study Module, you can return to the module to reset it so you can practice answering its questions again. You can't refresh an incomplete module. Refreshing a module does NOT affect your score on any mastered module assigned for credit.

You have two ways to refresh for practice.

• Smart Refresh: Select this option to practice answering ONLY questions that you didn’t answer initially both correctly and with confidence. This option saves you time by targeting your practice.
• Refresh: Select this option to reset the module so you can practice answering ALL of its questions.

Open a mastered module for Smart Refresh or Refresh

• page .Select the  Practice, study, or review questions link (top right) from the Mastering Course Home.
  You will see all modules available for the course. Open a chapter to view its completed modules. Select Smart Refresh or Refresh to reset the module. If you started but didn’t complete a particular module yet, only the Continue option is available.

  -OR-

• Open an assigned module from any Mastering assignment access point.
  The Dynamic Study Module opens to the Review Module page.

Tips for working with Smart Refresh and Refresh

• To save your work-in-progress while working in either Smart Refresh or Refresh mode — Be sure to select "save & return" in the upper right. Otherwise, the Smart Refresh or Refresh module resets to the beginning.
• You can refresh your knowledge as often as you like. Each time you choose Refresh for a module, ALL of its questions are made available to you again.

If you take a break and close your session or if you unexpectedly lose your internet connection, you can return later to continue.

• All of your submitted responses are saved when answering questions. (See Important note below about scoring implications for assigned Dynamic Study Modules.) In Smart Refresh or Refresh mode, you must select "Save & Return" to resume answering questions where you left off. Otherwise, the Smart Refresh or Refresh module resets to the beginning.
• Important: Try to finish a question set before taking a break from an assigned Dynamic Study Module for credit. You gain credit for each question set only after you have stepped through all the correct answers and explanations ("WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW") for any questions you missed in the set. You can tell that you’re at the end of a question set when you see the Keep Going button.
• Your work is synced if you continue working from a different access point. For example, you can start working on a Dynamic Study Module from your computer and then continue the same module on your mobile device, or vice versa. For assigned modules, you can switch between navigating to the module from an assignment or from the independent study area (by choosing the Dynamic Study Modules option from the course home).

• Guessing at answers can lengthen your learning time. Remember, there are no scoring penalties for admitting you don't know an answer or for submitting an incorrect answer.
• To submit one answer after you chose two responses, select again the single answer you want to submit.
• “ amplifire” identifies the browser window or tab name for an open module. Amplifire is the name of the company that powers the Dynamic Study Modules algorithm.
• Review mastered modules to help you study for exams. In Review mode, the questions you had difficulty with appear at the top of the list with the correct answers so you can target your areas of weakness. Or, choose Smart Refresh to practice answering questions you didn't originally know the answer to.
• Use the Smart Refresh or Refresh options to practice answering questions again from a mastered module. This can be helpful if it's been some time since you originally mastered the module. See above section for more details about Smart Refresh and Refresh.

Complete any assigned Gap Finder Diagnostic module by its due date so you can receive all points for the assignment, even if you answered some questions incorrectly. Your grade is reported to your Mastering Scores page.

When you finish a Gap Finder Diagnostic module, its Results page shows you how you did, including your knowledge by topic and any recommended modules. The recommended study modules may be different from the Dynamic Study Modules in your course.

From your Results page, you can choose to review the Gap Finder questions (review questions) or to start a recommended module, with content that targets your weaknesses.

As you submit your answer(s) to a question in a Dynamic Study Module, you receive immediate feedback about whether you answered correctly, partially correctly, or incorrectly. There is no feedback when you answer "I don't know yet".

In a Gap Finder Diagnostic module —
You learn whether you answered correctly or incorrectly after you finish the module.

This information applies to Dynamic Study Modules, but not to any Gap Finder Diagnostic modules.

Your progress as you work on a computer or tablet: Each question in the module is represented by a vertical bar. Choose the down arrow to view your module completion status in more detail—including estimated time to complete, accuracy, question progress, and message.

Tip: Consider keeping this detailed view open as you work on a computer or tablet.

To check your progress on completed Dynamic Study Modules, select course report from either the modules list page (opens when you select  Practice, study, or review questions from the the Mastering Course Home) or the Review Module page.

Progress for ALL completed modules (top)

The top part of the report shows metrics for all completed modules available for independent study.

• DSM Overview — Shows the % progress completion, amount of time you spent, % starting knowledge (based on your incorrect replies to first answer tries with confidence), and number of refreshers taken. Also compares your progress to the other students in the course ("all learners").
• Your DSM Progress — Shows your module progress in relation to ALL modules available in the course. Any assigned Dynamic Study Modules may be a subset of all the modules tracked in this progress report.
  
• Most Challenging Questions — Select a question link to review the correct answer and to help you learn what you didn't know earlier.

Progress for individual completed modules (bottom)

The bottom part of the report provides metrics by completed module, including % progress completion, time spent, when you last worked on a module, and a knowledge bar with data about your initial attempts at answering questions.

• To review module questions and your answers: Select a completed module or completed refresher. The Review Module page opens with all questions listed.
• To view data about your first answer attempts, hover over the Knowledge bar. The categories are % Misinformation (confident and incorrect, red), % Uncertainty (unsure and correct or incorrect, yellow), and % Mastery (confident and correct, green). For modules with a high degree of Misinformation, consider taking a refresher or reviewing the module.

For scores on Dynamic Study Modules assignments in your Mastering course: See “Check your score on assigned Dynamic Study Modules” below.

Any assigned modules are from the same pool of modules available for independent study. Working Dynamic Study Modules on your own can help you in the following ways:

• If the module is assigned later in the course: You gain credit for the work you did earlier.
• If the module is never assigned: This learning activity may help you to do better on exams that cover this material.

Your instructor controls whether any Dynamic Study Modules are included as graded assignments in your Mastering course. When they are, check your scores by opening the Mastering Scores page in your course on a computer.

When credit gets posted to the Scores page

• For assigned Gap Finder Diagnostic modules: Your score gets posted after you finish answering all questions in the module for the first time. Complete assigned Gap Finder Diagnostic modules BEFORE the assignment due date. If you miss the due date, you will get no credit.
• For Dynamic Study Modules: The Mastering Scores page shows credit for your completed questions only AFTER you finish each question set. Finishing a question set includes stepping through the correct answers and explanations for questions you missed in that set. You can tell that you’re at the end of a question set when you see the Keep Going button. For full assignment credit, you must master the module before its due date.

How to identify Dynamic Study Module scores on the Scores page

Look for the symbol before the assigned module name, similar to how Dynamic Study Module assignments appear elsewhere in the course.

• To show only Dynamic Study Module and Gap Finder Diagnostic module scores: Select Dynamic Study Module for Category in the Assignments area.

  

• If you select the module assignment name link on your Scores page: The Dynamic Study Module assignment opens to its latest state. For incomplete modules, you return to where you stopped working, such as the beginning of a question set. For mastered modules, the Review Module page opens.

• Give yourself enough time to complete the assignment, especially if you're uncertain of the material or if this is the first time you are doing a Dynamic Study Module.
• Once you start a Dynamic Study Module question set, try to finish it. Credit for completed questions is reported to your Mastering Scores page only AFTER you finish each question set. Finishing a question set includes stepping through the correct answers and explanations for questions you missed in that set. Credit for Gap Finder Diagnostic assignments is given for work you do before the assignment due date.
• To receive full credit, finish Dynamic Study Module assignments before their due date. No credit is given for any questions you complete after the assignment due date. If you lose credit due to the late penalty, you’ll see in the Notes column either “No credit for late work” or “Late penalty applied. Finished date at time”.

  If you have a good reason for missing an assignment due date, ask your instructor for an extension to the original due date. Your instructor cannot extend the due date or reset any assigned Gap Finder modules.

• Reviewing or refreshing a completed module doesn't affect your original score.