Enhancing Mathematics by Online Assessments

Abstract

There is growing concern in Europe that some students are not well-equipped to start a Bachelor's or Master's programme, especially when the programme has a strong mathematical focus. In particular, attention is drawn to problems with mathematics in the transition from secondary to higher education. Higher education expects a certain level of algebraic skills and not all incoming students are able to comply with that expectation. Consequently, more institutes are developing preparatory and remedial courses to refresh or remediate algebraic skills in first-year students, and IT tools are often used to enhance their learning experience. This paper focuses on the use of frequent online assessment powered by a mathematical engine, Maple TA. The authors analyse two redesigns of mathematics courses using Maple TA at the University of Amsterdam. These courses were taken by 650 students in the Faculties of Science and of Economics and Business. In general, the students' response was positive, although the economics students were more positive than the science students. Teachers were pleased with the redesigns and indicated that the use of online assessment tools for innovation in classroom teaching was straightforward.