Poster Assessment for Mathematics Students

Ruth FaircloughSchool of Technology

Generic Issues

• Can be difficult to set innovative, realistic assessments for mathematics subjects

• Topic in question was applied mathematics, in particular mathematical modelling

• Usually obtained bimodal results in this topic when traditional assessment techniques used– The classic A or F results!

• An assessment which allowed the students to show their strengths was required

Module Info and Issues

• Core Second Year Mathematics Module• MM2008 Mathematical Modelling• Studied by ALL students with ‘Mathematics’ in

their degree titles• Some students (Combined awards and

Mathematical Business Analysis) had not studied some of the theoretical mathematics needed to build many mathematical models

Module Assessment

• 2 components– A pass / fail individual portfolio submitted by all

students. Students passed if they had demonstrated engagement with the mathematics involved in modelling

– A group poster, report and presentation was the graded aspect of the module assessment

Group Make up

• Groups of 3 – 5 students (usually 4)• At least 1 group member had to be studying

BSc Mathematics– So each group had a member who had studied the

mathematics required

• At least 1 group member had to be studying a more practical degree– So each group had a member to organise the

work, do the IT etc

What did the students have to do then?

• Each group chose their own real world problem which could demonstrate their model building skills– Guidance given by tutors as to suitability of chosen

subject to ensure sufficient depth• Develop models and present their work to their

peers and the tutors in the final poster presentation lecture session– Nibbles and soft drinks were optional

• Students handed in their posters, a more detailed report and peer marking sheets for the other posters on display

Peer Marking

• Worked Well!• Tick – box marking grids were developed by

the tutors for the students to complete• Students marked their peers work fairly• None of the peer marking grades needed to

be amended by tutors

Population model poster

Another population model poster

Solar Eclipse Modelling Poster

Effective?

• Students gave positive feedback on the module

• They seemed to really enjoy producing the poster

• Excellent pass rates (over 90%)• Excellent standard of work produced by the

students• Students given the opportunity to work as a

‘real’ team with each member doing a different part of the work