For most students, the Mathematics in Teams assignments are very different from what they are used to in the mathematics classroom. That is why it can be beneficial to explain some matters beforehand. These are also described in the introduction of the assignment but are often overlooked.

To achieve the best results, students need to know what is expected of them. Emphasize that it is not about finding the ‘right answer’. The assignments are purposefully designed without a clear-cut answer. The students are therefore expected to try out different solutions, and they should analyze their attempts in their report. What did work, what did not, and what do they think is the best solution?

To emphasize this point, it can be useful to use examples of previous assignments. These can be found here.