Revolutionary Teaching, Learning and Assessment of Computer Algebra with Computer Algebra Dr Michael McCabe Principal Lecturer / National Teaching Fellow University of Portsmouth Department of Mathematics Lion Gate Building Lion Terrace PORTSMOUTH Hampshire PO1 3HF UK 02392 846370 Teaching and learning with computer algebra systems is nothing new. Assessment with computer algebra is. My paper will illustrate thiby charting the evolution of a course unit, which has taught students to use Maple and Matlab for problem solving, over the past 15 years. It will emphasise the changes in assessment, which have become possible through advances in technology and the pedagogical benefits which they bring about. In particular, I will explain how MapleTA has been used to improve the learning, not just of mathematicians, but also of computer scientists, civil engineers and biologists. "Computer Packages in Mathematical Studies" is a course unit designed in the mid-1990s mainly to promote mathematical problem solving using Maple computer algebra. In those days students submitted their solutions to problems ranging from optimisation of airline fare pricing to wine glass design as completed worksheets. The problems for the lecturer ranged from plagiarism to extremely time-consuming and inaccurate marking of submitted work. Around 10 years ago computer marked assessment was introduced using QuestionMark Perception. Students were able to use CAS (Maple) to assist them in answering objective questions, have their answers marked automatically and receive immediate feedback. The problems for the lecturer then ranged from an inability to ask pedagogically sound questions with algebraic answers, mathematical diagrams, e.g. graphs, to the generation of large question banks for formative (practice) and summative (exam) delivery. Over the past 3 years, MapleTA has replaced the older form of e-assessment. Benefits of its introduction include: * pedagogically sound mathematical questions with algebra and graphs * better feedback and hints * immediacy of on-line access through the university VLE (WebCT Vista) * reusable assessment objects (McCabe, 2007) One of the greatest benefits of MapleTA has been in the development of "reusable assessment objects", automatically generated e-assessment questions exploiting the use of random parameters (numeric, algebraic, graphic, symbolic or text) and algorithms (typically conditions placed upon these parameters). Reusable assessment objects motivate students by automatically providing a huge bank of questions of a standard similar to their final exams and immediate feedback on their progress. Reusable assessment objects motivate lecturers by eliminating the need to set a large number of similar questions! Furthermore they promote "peer moderated assessment", by which students help to improve the quality of question banks. MapleTA and reusable assessment objects have now been extended from use with mathematicians to computer scientists, civil engineers and biologists. Recent work in the development of reusable assessment objects for graph/network theory will be used to illustrate how the new technology is revolutionising mathematics education. I will speculate on the future directions in this revolution.