IMathAS 1beta16 review

IMathAS project is a Web-based math testing and homework system. IMathAS (Internet Mathematics Assessment System) is a Web-based m

License: GPL (GNU General Public License) File size: 0K Developer: David Lippman

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IMathAS project is a Web-based math testing and homework system.

IMathAS (Internet Mathematics Assessment System) is a Web-based math testing and homework system.

It is a light course/learning management system and testing system, similar to and inspired by WebWork and WIMS, and similar to textbook-bundled systems like iLrn and MathXL.

It requires a browser with MathML and SVG support such as Firefox 1.5 or IE6 with plugins.

Here are some key features of "IMathAS":
Math: The system was designed for Math assessment; no effort was made for the system to be multi-purpose.

Sharing: The system was setup to encourage sharing of questions within a system and outside. Questions are grouped into question libraries, and are not tied directly to a specific assessment. Unless marked Private, questions can be used by anyone on the system, or used as a template for writing new questions. Export and Import allows the sharing of question sets between systems. Also, macro libraries allow for the expansion of IMathAS's question language. Users with expertise in a field can develop macro extensions, and share them with other users.

Ease of Install: The system uses standard PHP and MySQL. It requires no special compilation options or installation of external programs

Display:
Rich Math and Graph display, using standards-based MathML and SVG, powered by Peter Jipsen's ASCIIsvg and ASCIIMathML
Rich Text Editor with built-in Math and Graph support for text items displayed in a course
Alternate display options for screenreaders and browsers without needed support

Assessment:
Question types including:
Functions, with answers like "sin(x)"
Numbers, compared to a given tolerance
Calculated Numbers, like 5/3 or 2^5
Multiple-Choice
Multiple-Answer
Matching
String
Numerical Matrix
Calculated Matrix
Multipart
Multiple display options and assessment settings, including an option for practice sets, and due date exceptions for individual students
Algorithmically generated questions, with a relatively simple-to-use question language (loosely based on PHP) with many built-in randomizers and display macros
Expandable question language, by installing additional macros

Other Course Features
Post text items, uploaded files, or web links to the classroom
Basic Discussion Forums

Administration:
Flexible administration: IMathAS can be centrally administered, or teachers can be given rights to create their own courses
Courses can have one or more teachers