Engineering students at the Polytechnical Institute of Noordelijke Hogeschool Leeuwarden in Holland (NHL) have benefited from using the Maple TA educational software, with a 95 per cent pass rate for their course.
Math teacher Metha Kamminga, who helped introduce the system, said: ‘Results of the final tests were very disappointing five years ago, but have now improved significantly….. [it is] very inspiring and motivating.’
The software teaches students how to use precise mathematical structures. It provides instantaneous feedback and uses Maple’s advanced mathematical engine. In addition to a higher pass rate, analysis also showed students preceded through the course at a faster rate and looked at topics in much more depth.
In the past, Kamminga would spend the weekends marking paper tests. ‘I am now like a “virtual teacher” who is always around the students when they work, but I get my Sunday mornings free!’
