Main presenter
Co-presenter(s)
Name :
Dr Martin Harrison
Name:
Miss Lesley Davis
E-mail:
m.c.harrison@lboro.ac.uk
E-mail:
l.davis@lboro.ac.uk l.davis@lboro.ac.uk
Institution or
Company:
Loughborough University
Name:
Dr Aruna Palipana
Department:
Mathematics Education Centre
E-mail:
a.s.palipana@lboro.ac.uk a.s.palipana@lboro.ac.uk
City:
Loughborough
Name:
Dr Joe Ward
State/Province:
Leicestershire
E-mail:
j.p.ward@lboro.ac.uk
Country:
UK
Name:
Type of
presentation:
Lecture : 25 minutes.
E-mail:
Conference
strand and number:
ACDCA ,
Number:
A17
Schedule:
Room:
Thursday, 16h30
1302
Related website:
http://helm.lboro.ac.uk
Title of
presentation:
Computer-Based Mathematics Assessment of Engineering Students
Abstract:
HELM (Helping Engineers Learn Mathematics) is a major three-year curriculum development project undertaken by a consortium of five UK universities, sponsored by UK Government funding of £250,000 (about $550,000 Cdn). This paper describes how HELM uses computer technology to enhance the teaching and learning of mathematics to engineering undergraduates. The HELM learning resources are briefly described. These consist of Workbooks, Computer-Aided Learning (CAL) courseware and Computer-Aided Assessments (CAA). The 50 Workbooks cover the mathematics in the first two years of UK engineering degrees. The CAL courseware, consisting of on-line interactive lessons to aid understanding, is web-delivered and complements many of the Workbooks. Essential to the success of the project is an extensive CAA regime; this takes two forms, either an integrated web-delivered version or an alternative stand-alone CD based version. The CAA regime facilitates the regular testing of large numbers of students. It incorporates both formative and summative aspects and thus powerfully encourages students to engage more in their own learning. Finally, didactic issues raised by using CAA to drive mathematics learning are discussed by reference to trialling experiences at a number of UK universities, which have used the materials in a variety of ways.