Automated grading plays an important role in helping lecturers manage large classes. It has been widely employed in courses assessing routine procedures such as differentiation, integration and Gaussian elimination. However, modern assessment packages are backed by computer algebra systems that are sufficiently powerful and flexible to mark much more advanced material, and this will be the main focus of the workshop. Since many UK mathematics degrees now have large classes at FHEQ levels five and six, this is an important area for development. The workshop will bring together leading content developers from across the UK and will foster collaboration between universities with an interest in automated grading for mathematics and statistics, using any platform.
This event will be hosted at the University of Liverpool. Here, staff in the Department of Mathematical Sciences have developed extensive content for automated grading in a wide range of topics, including statistics & probability, vector calculus, complex analysis, numerical methods, financial mathematics, complex dynamics and linear statistical models. Both organisers have contributed significantly to this. Dr Ian Thompson has created content for automated grading to support his own teaching and advises colleagues on technical aspects of question development. Dr Jessica Banks is the lead automated grading developer for the Department and creates and manages content on behalf of several colleagues.