An overview of PmatE: developing software for all degrees of teaching

Abstract

The University of Aveiro, Portugal, has put into practice an unconventional method of teaching first year Calculus students of science and engineering. This method utilizes a special kind of learning objects, the question Generator Models, consisting of randomly generated true/false tests. The purpose of this experience was to move from a paper based automated assessment system to immediate and interactive automated assessment computer systems via the internet. In this paper is given a general overview of a project, essentially in mathematics education, that gives support to the method referred in the previous paragraph. it is based on the internet in order to serve as many and distant users as possible. It will be given a brief description of all the topics, from the technology used to the concept of questions generator model.