Abstract:

STACK is a open source automatic assessment tool, based on the Maxima CAS (Computer Algebra System), and provides a question type for the Moodle quiz. This computer-aided assessment package was originally developed by Chris Sangwin at the University of Birmingham. It allows the symbolic manipulation of mathematical content, which makes it well suited for teaching advanced mathematical topics. In STACK it is possible to create questions dependent of defined parameters that may have random values. Therefore it is possible to generate several versions of a same question, all of them different. When a test is open, each question is chosen between the versions available. The answers can be submitted in the form of a mathematical expression, that once received are evaluated by the Maxima CAS.

This CAS manipulates symbolic and numerical expressions and allows establishing the mathematical properties of the answers, giving feedback related to those answers.

This package is used mostly in European universities, with a growing user community.

Ths paper describes the development of a set of assignments on multivariable calculus using STACK e-assessment system. They were initially designed for a earlier version of the package, and some details found in the set-up are exposed for the latest versions of the package.

Keywords:

STACK, assignment design, multivariable calculus.