tom carroll & kieran mulchrone (ucc) Áine ní shé & julie crowley (cit) numbas @...

Tom Carroll & Kieran Mulchrone (UCC)Áine Ní Shé & Julie Crowley (CIT)

NUMBAS @ University of Newcastle

Main project aim: Leverage potential of NUMBAS (online assessment tool - University of Newcastle) to construct localized formative e-assessment for first year service mathematics and statistics courses at UCC and CIT.

Workplan encompasses the twin areas of implementation and evaluation. Joint project between UCC and CIT, building on successful pilot project @ CIT. Funding for (1) Intern based at @ CIT focusing on content development and

implementation at both sites; (2) Master’s student @ UCC focusing on evaluating project impact on student learning and performance.

Transitioning to e-assessment in mathematics education

Overview

Outcomes projected/achieved & Methodology

High level goals: • Improve student engagement• Improve student understanding and appreciation of mathematics• Improve student core mathematics skills• Manage lecturer workload• Strengthen relationship between Maths @UCC and Maths @CIT.

Currently at Implementation phase with Numbas content being developed for use in Calculus for Scientists 1 & 2 (500+ students) at UCC next academic year.


Outcomes projected/achieved & Methodology

@ CIT: further integration of Numbas into three first year mathematics and statistics modules. Early observations from CIT indicate• Strong engagement with Numbas-based work• Effect on summative assessment as yet unclear

Project assistant work to be carried out by several people over project period rather than one single post holder.

MRes studentship (Evaluation phase) widely advertised: closing date 31 July.


2. Project outcomes

Identification of key topics & concepts with which students struggle both at UCC and CIT, including descriptive statistics (where the dominant pedagogical approach is

constructive rather than interpretive) and probability (relative frequency and probability, understanding outcomes,

events, sample space, using Venn diagrams to solve problems). Ongoing assessment @ CIT in large maths and stats classes Development of material @ UCC for start of new academic year (7 September)

[Necessary changes to formal module descriptions are now in place.]


There follow some screen shots of typical questions used at CIT last term.

2. Project outcomes

https://numbas.mathcentre.ac.uk/numbas-previews/question-8430-normal-distribution/index.html




3. National Impact

Context: Full implementation of Project Maths secondary school syllabus last year. National coverage of Leaving Certificate mathematics examination papers and debate on impact of Project Maths, e.g. http://www.irishtimes.com/news/education/project-maths-linked-to-decline-in-third-level-performance-1.2242148


http://www.irishtimes.com/news/education/project-maths-linked-to-decline-in-third-level-performance-1.2242148



3. National Impact

Local dissemination of information on this project at UCC’s Digital Day [6/12/2014] and again on 22/06/2015.

Local interest at UCC and CIT in expanding use of Numbas beyond modules originally envisaged (e.g. Commerce module @ UCC, Accounting @CIT).

Strong potential for national impact as university and IoT sectors are receptive to innovation e.g. through Annual Conference in Mathematics and Statistics Service Teaching and Learning.

Ongoing contact with Irish Mathematics Teachers Association (IMTA). Development of an enhanced web presence. Plans to expand beyond UCC and CIT.


tom carroll & kieran mulchrone (ucc) Áine ní shé & julie crowley (cit) numbas @...

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