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Hi Andrea

Sorry for this v late reply, hope its of some use even now.

We're using basic math diagnostic tests online via our webct.  I've been doing this since 2009 and prior to that I was using Question Mark Perception for similar tests.  The tests are delivered in the early stages of the student's studies and are intended to alert them to the expectations the lecturers concerning the mathematical skills required for their main programme of studies.  Our centre (MASH) is available to help them prepare as necessary.  

Answers to your questions
I've used a DOS based software Diagnosys developed by John Appleby from Newcastle, it was a great package as it was knowledge based.  But could only get it to work when installed onto individual PCs and these days its not possible to install on our managed PCs.  There was a way to installing it onto the server and deliver it that way but I never managed to get it to work.  A very good piece of software to break my teeth on!

QMP was the next one I worked with and worked fine for deliver to the masses which was good as we were now diagnosing  a large number of students and needed results quickly  

I had to drop QMP at my current Institute as they didn't support and it was easier to convert the bank of questions to webct than to convince our IT dept to support QMP :).  We do have a good bank of question available and if you're interested in making use of some let me know.

Online testing has been good for achieving speed and quantity and I think works well for simple testing of particular skills.  In terms of deeper diagnostics I haven't cracked the 'ability to learn' diagnosis, though am looking into the students approaches to studying (online questionnaire).  But very early days yet.

Finally there is NumBAS http://www.ncl.ac.uk/maths/numbas/  which may be worth a look ... I've started some work with it but nothing to report yet.

Hope this helps, and there' a meeting in London on the 26th June  http://www.sigma-network.ac.uk/sigma-workshop-on-using-puzzles-and-games-in-maths-support/  that I will be at, if you are there we can chat further.  And another one on maths quizzes in Bath in July which may be of interest to you.

All the best 
Chetna




On 20 May 2014 16:27, Andrea Didier <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
Good Afternoon All,

This is my first time posting so hopefully I'm doing it right...

I was wondering if anyone out there had any experience using programmes/online software to identify and "diagnose" student's areas of strengths and weaknesses generally across academic writing, IT and Maths.

If so, what software do you use and how has it worked?  It's something that I've heard quite a bit about theoretically but would like to find out a bit more about how it works practically.

Thanks!
Best wishes

Andrea Didier
Skills Development Coordinator

T: 020 8223 7841
E: [log in to unmask]

Library and Learning Services (Skillzone)
Docklands Library
University of East London
University Way
London
E16 2RD







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All the best

Chetna


---

Dr Chetna Patel FHEA MIMA CMath

Mathematics & Statistics Help Manager

University of Sheffield

301 Student Skills and Development Centre

301 Glossop Road

Sheffield, S10 2HL


Tel: (0114) 222 1749

Mob: (0781) 488 4907

Skype ID: chetnaptl

www.shef.ac.uk/mash

https://www.facebook.com/mashuos


sigma Network, Hub Coordinator for North East & Yorkshire​

sigma Outstanding Contributor 2009 

Times Higher Education University of the Year 2011