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Mathematics lecturers’ views of examinations: tensions and possible resolutions

Iannone, P.; Simpson, A.P.

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Authors

P. Iannone



Abstract

If assessment drives learning and the closed book examination dominates the pattern of assessment for undergraduate mathematics (as it does in the UK), lecturers need to ensure that examinations reflect the learning they value. This article uses a mixed method approach to explore lecturers’ views of the closed book examination in relation to other assessment methods, their preferences for different types of methods and the extent to which they discriminate between stronger and weaker students. A survey of staff views confirms the dominance of closed book examinations, but an accompanying interview study shows hidden complexity to this view. In particular a tension between the potential and the reality of examinations is uncovered and suggestions are made for resolving that tension.

Citation

Iannone, P., & Simpson, A. (2015). Mathematics lecturers’ views of examinations: tensions and possible resolutions. Teaching Mathematics and its Applications: An International Journal of the IMA, 34(2), 71-82. https://doi.org/10.1093/teamat/hru024

Journal Article Type Article
Acceptance Date Oct 1, 2014
Online Publication Date Nov 28, 2014
Publication Date Jun 1, 2015
Deposit Date Aug 28, 2015
Publicly Available Date Mar 28, 2024
Journal Teaching Mathematics and its Applications: An International Journal of the IMA
Print ISSN 0268-3679
Electronic ISSN 1471-6976
Publisher Oxford University Press
Peer Reviewed Peer Reviewed
Volume 34
Issue 2
Pages 71-82
DOI https://doi.org/10.1093/teamat/hru024

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Copyright Statement
This is a pre-copyedited, author-produced PDF of an article accepted for publication in Teaching Mathematics Applications following peer review. The definitive publisher-authenticated version Iannone, P. and Simpson, A. P. (2015) 'Mathematics lecturers’ views of examinations : tensions and possible resolutions.', Teaching mathematics and its applications., 34 (2). pp. 71-82 is available online at: http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/teamat/hru024




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