E-Learning Tools with Intelligent Assessment and Feedback for Mathematics Study

Abstract

Mathematics students, often among large university classes of several hundreds of students, are easily daunted when solving math problems. Lacking individual feedback, they easily give up. To bolster learning, Computer-Aided Assessment may help students by giving them individual feedback about their progress. This article presents some general requirements for Intelligent Assessment using semi-automatic feedback in mathematics education with a special focus on solution processes. Intelligent Assessment implies the combination of human assessment along with electronic assessment via intelligent software for evaluating a student’s performance in a specific subject. Assessment tools are used to categorize solutions and detect errors as accurately as possible. Unusual and novel solutions and errors that the computer cannot categorize are forwarded to a tutor or teacher for assessment. Several examples demonstrate that semi-automatic and process-oriented Intelligent Assessment can help to improve learning and, ultimately, student self-confidence in mastering problems.

Ontology-based e-assessment for accounting: Outcomes of a pilot study and future prospects

“…There are exceptions such as in mathematics education, where well-understood misconceptions and the appearance of common errors have provided the basis for more sophisticated intelligent and adaptive assessment systems. Reviews by Bescherer, Kortenkamp, Müller, and Spannagel (2009), Bescherer, Herding, Kortenkamp, Müller, and Zimmermann (2012) of e-assessment systems in mathematics distinguish between systems that are ''automated,'' offering students generic responses, ''intelligent'' in that they identify common misconceptions or patterns of errors, and those that are ''adaptive,'' offering students tailored content and activities according to patterns in their responses to questions and problems. Semantic web technologies could be integrated into all of these categories of e-assessment software, but offer particular advantages in those that are considered ''intelligent'' or ''adaptive.''…”

A Semi-Automatic Computer-Aided Assessment Approach for Marking and Providing Feedback Comments

“…Fewer studies have examined the combination of human and computer in marking and provision of feedback comments. Semi-automatic assessment is a term that has been used to describe the cooperation between human markers and the computer in assessment (Herding and Schroeder, 2011;Bescherer et al, 2011;Sargent, J et al, 2004).…”