Facing the mathematics problem, two cases considered

The Dutch Parliament organized an inquiry in the effects of recent educational innovations. The main conclusions were that innovations were implemented without large support in the field, and that they were not evaluated. Often there was lack of evidence whether innovations did improve education. One of the main problems mentioned is a lack of mathematical literacy. Especially attention is drawn to the problems in mathematics in the transition from secondary to higher education. Higher education expects a certain level of algebraic skills that incoming students are not all able to comply with. Against this background of a mathematics problem reinforced by generic educational innovations, many trajectories were developed to refresh or remediate algebraic skills in the first year in higher education. ICT is often used for formative and summative assessment of algebraic skills. In this paper we focus on the use of a web-based test and assignment system powered by a mathematical engine, in casu Maple TA. We will study two cases of the use of this system at the University of Amsterdam, in particular at the Economics faculty and the Science faculty.