STACK for interactive online numerical analysis tutorials: development, competence and performance

Abstract

Overseeing online tutorials in mathematics requires competency in Computer Algebra System. In this work, we study the application of System for Teaching and Assessment using Computer Algebra Kernel, a Moodle mathematics plugin. Our aim was to oversee online tutorials for Numerical Analysis, an undergraduate second­year course taught in the 2019/2020 and 2020/2021 academic years at the University of Dar es Salaam. Varieties of randomized questions were competently developed to cover the content of the course. The questions test different learning objectives, exhausting direct and iterative computations, analytical and guided proofs. Students got immediate feedback on their solutions and anticipated mistakes. Students’ participation and performance in the tutorials and quizzes are promising. Students’ final scores do not show any negative impact from the use of online tutorials. Overseeing online tutorials is important as the number of students enrolled every year is increasing disproportionally with the available teaching staff. This can also be an appropriate tool for both interactively delivering mathematics content and assessing mathematics learning, when meetings between teachers and students are limited (e.g., during the pandemic period) or not necessary (e.g., distance learning programmes).