Diversity in mathematics assessment equals diversity in opinion?

Ayres, K., Wilcox, A. and Glaister, P. (2013) Diversity in mathematics assessment equals diversity in opinion? MSOR Connections, 13 (2). pp. 15-23. ISSN 1473-4869 doi: 10.11120/msor.2013.00012

Abstract/Summary

We undertook a study to investigate the views of both students and staff in our department towards assessment in mathematics, as a precursor to considering increasing the diversity of assessment types. In a survey and focus group there was reasonable agreement amongst the students with regards major themes such as mode of assessment. However, this level of agreement was not seen amongst the staff, where discussions regarding diversity in mathematics assessment definitely revealed a difference of opinion. As a consequence, we feel that the greatest barriers to increasing diversity may be with staff, and so more efforts are needed to communicate to staff the advantages and disadvantages, in order to give them greater confidence in trying a range of assessment types.