E-assessments and E-exams for Geomatics Studies

We report about our project to introduce web-based automated assessments for engineering studies at the HafenCity University in Hamburg. The assessments are used for free practice and for eExams in the near future in the first-year math lectures of the geomatics studies in Hamburg. We use the out-of-the-box system MapleTA which enables us to put mathematical questions with randomized numbers as well as randomized symbolic parameters. The system uses an inbuilt computer algebra system to grade the answers automatically. Unlike other assessment systems, MapleTA can therefore test answers on semantic correctness , e.g. 1 + tan(x) and 1/ cos(x) will both be recognized as proper first derivative of the tan(x)-function.