Brunel is well advanced in promoting good practice in the use of Computer Aided Assessment (CAA). The diagnostic tests are of CAA type, delivered on-screen with full animation at the testing level required (post-GCSE or post A-Level). 200 students are involved on programmes ranging from financial computing to mathematics.

Diagnostic testing at Coventry University encompasses various disciplines. Co-ordinated by the Maths Support Centre, the test is used to assess the students' ability and target appropriate mathematics support as early as possible. This case study reviews the testing process and how it is linked to appropriate support material, advice and learning resources.

Two weeks are spent doing revision prior to three diagnostic tests. These are designed to assess studentsâ?? strengths and weaknesses after they have spent some time working in a mathematical context. The tests are all paper-based multi-choice questions (MCQs). They are hand-marked, but owing to the small number of students there is little time delay between assessment and distribution of the results.

All students are assessed using a paper-based written test on their first day in the department. The students are allowed to use any non-graphical calculator to help answer 48 questions of the type and standard that they should be familiar with from A-Level. The questions range across simple arithmetic and algebra through logs to differentiation and integration, finishing with some questions on vectors. Final solutions are filled in on an answer grid. The temporary streaming of the students is based on the results.

School of Mechanical and Systems Engineering DIAGNOSYS has been used by the Department of Engineering Mathematics, now the School of Mechanical and Systems Engineering, since 1993. By 1996 there were five departments involved in using the software. Based on an interview with the administering lecturer and a student questionnaire this case study examines the procedure, results and student responses to the diagnostic testing process.

First year students in mathematics have been tested at the University of Sussex over the past 25 years using a paper-based diagnostic test. The test has hardly changed during that time. The test and remedial measures are co-ordinated by a senior member of staff, but administered by two postgraduates.

Four questions on second order linear constant coefficient differential equations. The first two involve identifying the complementary function, the third involves applying initial conditions and the fourth involves finding a particular solution with either linear or sinusoidal forcing. DEWIS resources have been made available under a Creative Commons licence by Rhys Gwynllyw & Karen Henderson, University of the West of England, Bristol.

This leaflet is about diluting stock to produce a dose of required strength to suit an individual patient.

This study examined levels of mathematics and statistics anxiety, as well as general mental health amongst undergraduate students with dyslexia (n?=?28) and those without dyslexia (n?=?71). Students with dyslexia had higher levels of mathematics anxiety relative to those without dyslexia, while statistics anxiety and general mental health were comparable for both reading ability groups. In terms of coping strategies, undergraduates with dyslexia tended to use planning-based strategies and seek instrumental support more frequently than those without dyslexia. Higher mathematics anxiety was associated with having a dyslexia diagnosis, as well as greater levels of worrying, denial, seeking instrumental support and less use of the positive reinterpretation coping strategy. By contrast, statistics anxiety was not predicted by dyslexia diagnosis, but was instead predicted by overall worrying and the use of denial and emotion focused coping strategies. The results suggest that disability practitioners should be aware that university students with dyslexia are at risk of high mathematics anxiety. Additionally, effective anxiety reduction strategies such as positive reframing and thought challenging would form a useful addition to the support package delivered to many students with dyslexia. Jordan J.-A., McGladdery G. and Dyer K. (2014), Dyslexia in Higher Education: Implications for Maths Anxiety, Statistics Anxiety and Psychological Well-being, Dyslexia, 20 (3), pages 225–240, doi: 10.1002/dys.1478

An electronic version of the Facts and Formulae leaflet for economics designed to be viewed onscreen. A higher resolution print version is available in mathcentre.

This leaflet introduces eigenvalues and eigenvectors of a 2x2 matrix. It is contributed to the mathcentre Community Project by Tony Croft and reviewed by Leslie Fletcher.

It is important to take account of the needs of employers when developing graduate mathematicians. Some of the projects reported in this booklet have worked with employers, employees or professional bodies to develop research findings, good practice advice and curriculum resources to improve graduate skills. Others offer examples of approaches involving employers in delivery of teaching and assessment for work-related learning, and various models that can be used to place students within organisations for work-based learning. This report was edited by Jeff Waldock and Peter Rowlett. This report is not made available under a Creative Commons licence but is freely available to UK universities for non-commerical educational use.