Grasple
This post is also available in: Nederlands (Dutch)
Grasple is a tool that allows teachers to easily create (statistical) e-modules and assignments. In addition, Grasple offers a large database of modules and assignments on all kinds of areas of statistics and mathematics. It is possible to use and modify the content in the database. Students can practice with the material autonomously, and independent of time and place, through these e-modules. This makes lessons more efficient, and there is more time during the lessons to go deeper into the material. Grasple also contains learning analytics, which provides insight into which components students have not yet mastered.
Grasple also offers the possibility to develop e-modules and assignments on other topics. You can jointly develop material with colleagues, and in addition it is possible to share the self-created content outside your own course.
Want to learn more about developing e-modules? Then check out this online module (log in with solis-id) that explains step by step how to design and develop an e-module.
Want to know more about this tool? Then use the Request tool button. Through this button you can request the tool, as well as make an appointment for didactic or technical advice.
Example Faculty of Humanities: Statistics: online practicing and testing
Grasple is regularly evaluated by the CAT to assess the educational value of this tool for teaching at Utrecht University. To this end, five lecturers were interviewed in 2025 about their experiences with Grasple in their teaching. This yielded the following results:
Purpose – lecturers use Grasple:
- To activate and support students’ prior knowledge
- As preparation for lectures, seminars or skills tests
- To process, practise and deepen understanding of the course material
- As a supplement to the regular course material
- To help students master software skills
Outcome – using Grasple provides lecturers with:
- Contact sessions are more effective
According to lecturers, Grasple ensures that contact sessions can be utilised more effectively. Because students have already worked on the material prior to seminars, there is scope for in-depth study, guidance on more complex assignments and attention to misconceptions.
- Reduced workload
According to a number of lecturers, Grasple makes it possible to reduce the number of seminars and practicals without compromising quality, which significantly reduces the workload for lecturers.
- Efficient organisation of teaching
According to lecturers, Grasple contributes to a more efficient organisation of teaching. Laboratory sessions, homework and supplementary content can be delivered in an integrated manner.
- Average lecturer rating: 8.9 (on a scale of 1–10)
Lecturers find Grasple to be a user-friendly, accessible and reliable tool that saves a lot of time and makes teaching more flexible and interactive. They particularly appreciate the options for formative assessment, self-paced modules, additional practice materials and progress monitoring.
Tips for using Grasple:
- Students rely (too) quickly on correct answers
Students sometimes rely too heavily on the ‘green ticks’ in Grasple (indicating a correct answer to a question): this does not always mean that the student has fully grasped the concept in question.
- Suitable for basic knowledge, revision and multiple-choice questions
Several lecturers have noted that Grasple is particularly strong for basic knowledge, revision and multiple-choice questions, but less suitable for deeper application where students must make methodological choices independently. Lecturers must actively guide students on how the online exercises from Grasple relate to other contexts.
As part of the evaluation of Grasple, student questionnaires were administered to 163 students across three courses between 2022 and 2024. The results show that:
Students are very positive about Grasple:
- Students find the structure, with small, clear steps, pleasant and straightforward.
- The opportunity to practise and apply the material is seen as highly valuable.
- They find Grasple useful, enjoyable and motivating.
- The programme helps students stay on top of the course material and check their understanding.
- For some students, Grasple played a key role in their eventual success in the exam.
Tips for using Grasple:
- Students would like to see a wide variety of questions when revising lessons, and they would appreciate detailed feedback on their answers.
- The alignment of Grasple exercises with the exam (level) deserves attention within the course.
- Students sometimes find that certain features or content are missing, such as a text-to-speech function or certain topics.
