Math e-Learning System STACK2.2 and a Prototype of Question Authoring Tool

Abstract

STACK, System for Teaching and Assessment using a Computer algebra Kernel, is a system of a computer aided assessment package for mathematics. STACK can provide questions for an on-line test that inquires an answer as a mathematical expression and assess the answer algebraically. We have been developing Japanese version of STACK as a part of work of internationalization. Recently version 2.2 of STACK was released and it increased processing speed. However, one of the difficulties of STACK is to author questions because the interface is inconvenient. In order to overcome the problem, we have developed a prototype of question authoring tool by the use of VBA of Excel. A question can be written on Excel interface and XML file is produced that can be imported to STACK question bank. Compared to authoring questions on the existing web interface of STACK, it is expected that time spent on authoring questions can be reduced.