Dear Colleagues,

you may be interested in a seminar taking place in London next week...

London Knowledge Lab, 17:00, Thursday 27th January
"Computer algebra-enabled computer-aided assessment of mathematics"
Dr Chris Sangwin, Maths, Stats & OR Network and School of Mathematics & Statistics, University of Birmingham

RSVP to: Megan Craig, tel 020 7763 2154, email [log in to unmask]

Since 2000, a number of computer aided assessment (CAA) packages
have used computer algebra systems (CAS) to process the responses
of students to assess mathematics automatically.  Examples of
systems include AiM, CABLE and Wallis.  Such a system which will
evaluate an algebraic expression as an answer. This makes possible
the fundamental pedagogic shift from "teacher-provided answer"
(such as multiple choice) to "student-provided answer" question
types.

Existing CAS are designed to cater for the needs of the professional
mathematician. Their needs are very different from those of the
student who is learning both how to use the CAS, and the
mathematics itself. Difficulties include the input syntax and
interpreting the outputs which may rely on sophisticated
mathematical ideas (eg complex numbers) about which the student
has yet to learn.  Yet AiM, CABLE and other systems adopt existing
systems despite drawbacks which are all too evident to the
experienced and sensitive teacher.

This seminar discusses the experiences and issues involved in
online CAA systems in which a CAS is used.


Further information: www.lkl.ac.uk/news, www.lkl.ac.uk/news/ms.pdf
How to get to London Knowledge Lab: Located at 23-29 Emerald Street, London WC1N 3QS. Nearest tubes: Holborn and Russell Square. Buses: 19, 38, 55. Map: http://www.multimap.com/map/browse.cgi?pc=WC1N3QS