Maple T.A. 2.5 is the very latest version of Maplesoft's accomplished web-based testing and assessment system. Now integrated with Maple 10(Maplesoft’s powerful maths engine) and its new Equation Editor, Maple T.A.2.5 also includes updates to the Assignment Editor, Question Bank Editorand Class Management. These updates enable colleges and universities tofurther enhance modern post-secondary mathematics education.Maple T.A.’s integration of the new Maplesoft Equation Editor providesaccess to the editor in all question types, as well as delivering improvedformatting of expressions and enhanced preview capabilities. Maple plotscan now be created as algorithmic variables and used in questions, hints,feedback and solutions.
Maple-graded questions in Maple T.A. 2.5 can now beprogrammed to provide partial credit, grading students’ responses with a mark between 0 and 1. And, with the integration of Maple 10, Maple T.A. 2.5provides access to the new functionality of the latest release of Maple.With these enhancements, teachers are able to create more sophisticatedquestions, create questions in less time and distribute richer content totheir students.The upgrades to the Maple T.A. Assignment Editor include a new layout, theability to view a summary or hide an assignment directly from the main menuand automatic locking of assignments in use to ensure data integrity. TheQuestion Bank Editor contains improvements to the Algorithmic Editor andthe display of questions for editing. Additional enhancements to ClassManagement provide for smoother and more robust deployment, minimaldowntime and enable institutions to service larger classes.
Maple T.A. 2.5 combines Maplesoft’s extensive education experience withthe best general assessment technology, said Jim Cooper, CEO of Maplesoft. The availability of Maple T.A. 2.5 makes online testing and assessmenteven easier and more cost-effective. It also further demonstratesMaplesoft’s commitment to deliver progressive instruction to students inmathematics, science and engineering. Launched in 2002, Maple T.A is used in colleges and universities worldwide.For instance, the State University of New York (SUNY) at Stony Brook relieson Maple T.A. to administer placement tests every year to assess students’level of maths knowledge and to enroll students in the appropriate courses.In their maths admissions package, SUNY Stony Brook refers students to aWeb site where they are able to practice questions and perform the test ata time that best suits them, when they feel most comfortable and prepared.As a result, SUNY Stony Brook has completely automated their placement test process, which has reduced the stress and chaos of registration day andbetter prepared students for the exam since students can take it from thecomfort of their home. With Maple T.A., professors are also able toconcentrate on the students and not the exam and timing.In addition to the Maple T.A. 2.5 upgrade, the Maple T.A. Building Blockfor Blackboard Learning System (Release 6) has also been upgraded.
The Maple T.A. Building Block is a tool that integrates the Maple T.A. onlinetesting and assessment system with the Blackboard Learning System. Upgradesinclude: a Maple T.A. instructor control panel, which allows access to allthe Maple T.A. functionality from one link; navigation improvements; andvalues for login names and class names that adhere to the Blackboardrequirements. The course management components of Blackboard combined withthe testing and assessment capabilities of Maple T.A. provide afull-featured system for mathematics and other technical courses.Maple T.A. 2.5 is available for single classes, departments and entireinstitutions. Licences are supplied and supported in the UK and Ireland byAdept Scientific