Presentation given by Jan Hanson and Martyn Thomas to the CETL-MSOR Sigma conference, detailing how the sigma funding was used to improve the mathsEG computer aided assessment website/webapp.

1. CAA for adult numeracy
and algorithms
Martyn Thomas (Maths) &
and Jan Hanson (Computing)
Brunel University

2. Sigma project
• To develop questions on
proportionality within adult settings
e.g. employability aptitude tests,
money, pay, tax, reading charts and
graphs.
• Mostly straightforward numerical
input questions with randoms and full
feedback
• Very boring(!) but there is a huge
need, especially for maths phobic

3. Reading a
cumulative
table
Randoms in
numbers in
table and in
statement
wordings
here

4. From an actual aptitude test but original was wrong – that
author never played tennis!
Games/Sets/Matches
are partially
randomised
consistent with the
rules of tennis –
quite complicated to
code in fact!
Surface effects
- towns,
- given names (ethnic balance
- gender (balanced M/F)
- game/sets/match randomised
Accessibility
font sizes &
colours under
user’s control

5. Feedback has dire warnings
about borrowing on credit cards!
Reading a table
and synthesising
information

6. Lots of randoms here including stated grade and dynamic
diagrams via SVG

7. And now for something
more interesting (Brunel-
funded matching projects)!

8. 1) Developing the maths
e.g. database
• Removing applet call so it will work on
mobile devices (phones and tablets)
• Extending the content
• Devising a protocol for question
inclusion/modification.
• Migrating to Local Server.
• Bug testing and reporting
• To be launched on an unsuspecting World
soon
maths e.g. is available for students at:
http://www.mathcentre.ac.uk:8081/mathseg/
and the teacher interface:
http://www.mathcentre.ac.uk:8081/mathsegteacher/
allows you to create your own tests (for free!)

9. 2) Testing Algorithms
• Level 2 maths and computing
students (also engineers and MSc
level)
• Asymptotic order & operations
count
• Basic, clustering, fitness, heuristic,
packing, searching, sorting, TSP
algorithms
• Pseudocode
• Note: this is not about programming as such –
other questions test different languages (VB

10. Randomly-chosen algorithm
Options to select from
Detailed explanation
More feedback adds counts and operations count for given n or
as ORDER asked for here

11. Communication with marking scheme is difficult for free-form
Input, so here students are asked to order some pseudocode
(not all of which is needed).

12. Randomly chosen common algorithm with words that can
apply to all Tests students ability to distinguish between
various algorithms.

13. To be launched on an
unsuspecting students soon
and evaluated … watch this
space!