Derivita Power User Stories: Empowering Online Math Education

Jacob Whetman, a passionate math teacher at Utah Online School, has spent over a decade shaping the math experiences of students across the state. Now, Whetman focuses on guiding high school students, from sophomore to junior level, through their math journey. Since joining Utah Online School ten years ago, Whetman has witnessed the school’s rapid growth—from just a few hundred students to nearly 4,000 today.

He credits much of this success to the institution's commitment to innovation. Derivita has been an integral part of that commitment. 

Watch his full video interview on YouTube.

First Impressions

Whetman first encountered Derivita about five years ago, and he was immediately impressed by the platform’s potential. "We were looking for a curriculum that could meet the diverse needs of our students, and Derivita stood out," he recalls. One of the things that won him over was the ability to create personalized, dynamic math problems for students. “We could control so many aspects of the questions, and the question library was already well-established and continuously evolving.” This feature allowed Whetman to move away from a more traditional, rigid curriculum, offering his students a more flexible and engaging learning experience.

Stand-Out Features

Immediate + Personalized Feedback

The platform’s emphasis on instant, detailed feedback is another standout feature for Whetman. “The students love the feedback,” he says. “They can immediately see where they went wrong and understand how to fix it, which builds their confidence.” The ability to give personalized feedback after each attempt helps students take ownership of their learning. “Instead of just getting a right or wrong answer, they see their thought process and learn from it.”

Canvas LMS Integration

In addition to student feedback, Derivita’s integration with Canvas has simplified grading and assignment tracking for Whetman. “One of my favorite features is the work feature. I can easily access student submissions, whether it's through a QR code or directly within the platform, and I don’t have to track down work from emails or messages. It’s all in one place.” This streamlining saves time and offers more insights into each student’s progress.

A Shift in Attitude

The results have been evident. Whetman has noticed a significant shift in his students’ attitudes toward math. The feedback and interactive learning environment have made math more approachable, leading to improved student outcomes. "The students definitely show more growth now, and they appreciate the personalized, ongoing feedback," he says.

When asked about his favorite parts of teaching and learning, Whetman says the most rewarding part of teaching comes when students experience that "aha" moment. "When they break through a barrier and suddenly understand a concept they've struggled with, it's incredibly satisfying," he shares. Beyond the classroom, seeing former students succeed in college or their careers and knowing he played a small part in their journey, brings him great joy.

With the support of the Derivita Math Support + Assessment Platform, Whetman has transformed how he teaches math, creating a more personalized, dynamic experience for his students. 

Ready to start your own Derivita journey?

Request a demo in your preferred LMS with a Derivita expert today!