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Online Mathematics Assessment Tools Comparison and Student Feedback Study

A comprehensive evaluation and comparison of Mathematical Assessment Software tools including Mathletics, Maple T.A., MyMathLab, STACK, and WeBWorK. Explore the functionalities, user experience, and student feedback to choose the best-suited software for mathematics assessment. Dive into detailed analysis and insights for educational enhancement.

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Online Mathematics Assessment Tools Comparison and Student Feedback Study

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  1. Online Assessment of Mathematics Dr Paul Bolton School of Mathematics July 2008

  2. Mathematical Assessment Software • Mathletics • Maple T. A. • MyMathLab • STACK • WeBWorK

  3. Mathletics • Developed by Martin Greenhow at Brunel • Randomized elements of questions • Multiple Choice or Numerical Input Only • But highly developed feedback • Sample questions available freely • Source code also available but requires Question Mark Perception

  4. Maple T. A. • Uses the computer algebra system ‘Maple’ • Commercial package from Maplesoft • Examined versions 2.5 and 3.0. Version 4.0 just released. • Can be run from central server or installed locally • Questions can be authored with Question Bank Editor • Alternatively use online LaTeX converter

  5. MyMathLab • Mathematical engine MathXL • Commercial; runs with CourseCompass from Pearson • Students have to buy textbook or access code • Wide range of teaching and assessment materials tied to this textbook http://www.mymathlab.com/

  6. WeBWorK • University of Rochester • Open source • Can be installed and run on a local Web server • Assessments written in Perl; mathematics can be written in LaTeX or html. • http://webwork.rochester.edu/

  7. WeBWorK Problem Libraries • WeBWorK problem libraries include: • Calculus • Graph Theory • Linear Algebra • Physics • Statistics • http://webwork.maa.org/wiki/Problem_Libraries

  8. Rochester Problem Library

  9. STACK • Uses open source CAS ‘Maxima’ • Created by Chris Sangwin at Birmingham • Free to HE maths community • Authoring system part menu based, part html, LaTEX and Maxima; translates to XML. • Can set up decision tree which analyses students’ response to identify and point out common misconceptions (malrules) • http://stack.bham.ac.uk/

  10. Evaluation and Comparison of STACK and WeBWorK • Installed both programs on local Web server • Devised standard set of questions • Recruited group of Foundation Year students to try out software on a PC cluster • Gathered opinions from focus group and questionnaire

  11. Students’ Opinions • Students positive about both software programs; in particular one commented preferred them to WebCT. • Seemed able to enter mathematical syntax without too much trouble. (The students already had some experience with Mathematica.)

  12. Students’ Opinions • STACK somewhat slow even for single user; nevertheless server coped running both programs for multiple users • Students found WeBWorK more visually appealing; STACK had some problems representing mathematical notation, especially with Firefox browser • But realised STACK had considerable underlying mathematical sophistication • “WeBWorK has looks but STACK has brains.”

  13. Diagnostic Tests • First Year students in engineering and science sit (paper) diagnostic test in Freshers’ Week to clarify mathematical preparation • Academic year 2007/2008 could choose to use Maple T.A., STACK or WeBWorK for practice (formative assessment) • Followup summative assessments were still in WebCT

  14. Diagnostic Tests 2008/2009 • STACK to be integrated with Blackboard Vista • STACK used in place of WebCT for both formative and summative assessment • More details in Paul Bolton, Computer assisted assessment of mathematics, MSOR Connections Vol. 8 No. 3 August – October 2008

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