A web-based platform for mathematics knowledge diagnostic testing for engineering freshmen

Principal Supervisor

Professor Chan Lai Wan, Department of Computer Science and Engineering
Professor Jimmy H.M. Lee, Department of Computer Science and Engineering
Duration

1 year
Approved Budget

HK $219,300
 
  • Project Objectives
  • Description
  • Evaluation of outcomes
  • Dissemination of results & deliverables

Project Objectives

The objective of this project is to develop a web-based mathematic assessment platform with the following aims:

  • To inform teaching staff members of the level of mathematical competence of the individual students in their classes so that the teachers can prepare the lecturing materials accordingly;
  • To identify the needs of individual students so that suitable supplementary classes/tutorials can be organized to remedy their insufficiency early in their university career.

Description of process and deliverables

  • A dichotomy of general mathematical topics needed for students across all Engineering disciplines.
  • A bank of questions of varying levels on the identified topics.
  • A web-based assessment platform with the following functionalities:
    • Question management
    • Test paper generation
    • Scoring and generate individual assessment reports
    • Generate summary reports for different intake groups

Evaluation of outcomes

  • We have conducted tests on students and they have in general found the system easy to use. The shortcoming is that not all students are interested in taking part in the diagnostic tests unless they are mandatory to do so.
  • The performance of the students on the different types of mathematics questions has been analyzed and their performance is generally satisfactory.

Dissemination of results & deliverables

Faculty members teaching the fundamental engineering and mathematics courses have been interviewed and requested to comment on the Mathematics curriculum of our undergraduates programmes based on the current performance of students in each Mathematics topics. Their comments are incorporated in the new 4-year curricula.