Zoom rules
- This session is informal: we've all got enough to worry about.
- Mute yourself when not speaking.
- Use the 'raise hand' button before asking a question.
- Use text chat to ask questions or comment while someone else is speaking.
Plan for today
- Introduce Numbas and demo
- Find out what's wanted
- Explore the Numbas editor
- Q & A
- Numbas is an open-source web-based e-assessment tool.
- It is aimed at numerate disciplines.
- Developed by the e-Learning Unit in Newcastle University's School of Mathematics, Statistics & Physics
Key features
- Scalable, reliable and accessible to a broad range of users.
- Easy to use.
- Used by question authors who aren't experts.
- Feedback is important.
- Customisable everywhere.
- Delivered through VLE or standalone.
- Lots of maths features.
A quick demo
Formative vs summative use
Computer-aided assessment is great for formative assessment.
Students can try randomised questions over and over until they're happy.
Summative assessment can pose problems:
- How to prevent cheating?
- Can you ask sufficiently challenging questions?
Applications of Numbas
At Newcastle, we use Numbas for:
- Formative use in a pre-entry course.
- Diagnostic tests in week 1.
- Banks of practice material to supplement lecture material.
- In-course assessment.
- Some final exams.
Subjects using Numbas
- Mathematics and statistics
- Physics
- Engineering
- Chemistry
- Business studies
- Psychology
- Biomedical science
- Sports science
- ... and more
Outside of Newcastle
- 1,200+ institutions in the UK and around the world.
- 5,600+ users registered on public editor.
- 9,000+ questions and exams released for free reuse under an open access licence.
(as of February 2021, as far as we can tell)
The mathcentre editor
- Open to everyone.
- Collect ready-made questions into a custom test
- Or write your own.
docs.numbas.org.uk
Thanks!
Website: numbas.org.uk
Email: numbas@ncl.ac.uk
Twitter: @NclNumbas
Source code: github.com/numbas