Encouraging Effective Study Habits Through Low-Stakes Testing in First-Year Mathematics
For years, I shared a common frustration with colleagues: the sense that students only begin studying a week before the exam. At the time, this was more of a suspicion than a substantiated fact. However, the introduction of an online homework platform for mathematics education at TU Delft provided a new level of transparency. It…
Read MoreDesign principles for “final answer” linear algebra assessment
The linear algebra exams at the University of Twente typically have at least 30% of the points allocated to final answer questions. With no points allocated to a process, but only to the final answer, students often complain that these questions are unfair. If the questions are ones where a careless error might result in…
Read MoreFive times faster grading, yet more emphasis of writing.
When we give standard written tests in bachelor-level mathematics, we roughly want to assess three skills: – executing computations, – understanding of definitions and statements, – writing of a mathematical argument. Based on my experience in the last several years, I am convinced that executing computations and understanding of definitions and statements can be very…
Read MoreAssessment of Statistical Knowledge without Exams
In this study, authored by Litvak and Kula, an innovative no-exam assessment setup is presented, specifically tailored for third-year bachelor Mechanical Engineering students in a Statistics course. The essence of this novel approach lies in assessing students based on self-generated problems. The authors provide a well-structured framework comprising clear course material, learning objectives, and requirements,…
Read MoreOpen Book Assessment in Vector Calculus
The global pandemic has led to a shift in higher-level education assessment, moving from traditional closed book formats to technology-mediated open book assessments in vector calculus courses for engineering students. This paper explores the pedagogical implications of this transition and offers concrete suggestions for aligning teaching practices with the demands of open book assessment in…
Read MoreFinal Answer Assessment in Linear Algebra: Design Principles
This study examines the implementation of digital short answer testing in calculus and linear algebra for service mathematics courses. The research compares short answer grading with ‘hypothetical grading’ based on fully worked solutions to assess the validity of digital assessment methods in these mathematical disciplines.
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