Semi-automated assessment of tree diagrams

Abstract

The large number of students enrolling in higher education courses at many institutions has fuelled the need for automated assessment system tools. Diagrammatic solutions are an integral aspect of many courses in higher education, such as software design and data structures courses. With such a large number of students needing to be taught and assessed, there is a growing need for educators to consider models of assessment beyond those which traditional methods allow. Currently, computer aided assessment systems are extensively used for marking objective questions. There is a need to develop tools that can assess students’ knowledge in a comprehensive way, such as through assessment of diagrammatic solutions. The primary aim of this research is to investigate a new approach of assessment that enables the use of computers to support the assessment process of tree structures. [Continues.]