The soft(ware) approach to learning problems in quantitative methods

Abstract

The project was to develop a software delivered diagnostic and remedial system for business students taking subjects in quantitative methods. The system is comprised of a module to diagnose a student's background mathematical knowledge and modules to which the student is directed to remedy any deficiencies that are found. The remedial modules focus on common areas of weakness in mathematics and revise the basic mathematical tools that are needed by business students. For example, there are currently nine modules of which three deal with numbers, graphs and the solution of equations. With the use of multimedia facilities incorporating colour and animation, the system can be perceptually more varied, more interesting and easier to use than existing print based information. For maximum accessibility and ease of implementation, the software was designed to run in a Windows environment using the authoring language Asymetrix "Multimedia Toolbook". The system is run and administered on the University's Novell network, but the developed software can be readily distributed and run independently of the network. This allows the software to be used off-campus, and makes the system equally accessible to students who are studying by distance education, open learning or who are located on an overseas campus.