Formative Math-Skill-Testing for Promoting MINT-Studies

In-depth mathematics competencies are an essential prerequisite for successfully pursuing studies in the STEM field. However, especially this area is characterized by heterogeneous backgrounds and prior knowledge of the learners. Different types of schools put varying degrees of emphasis on mathematics in general and on different sub-aspects in particular. Due to initiatives to promote interest in STEM studies and new, differentiated study programs with specific requirements, these challenges have grown in recent years. The project addresses these challenges and aims to provide a differentiated and psychometrically-validated measurement of mathematics competencies to offer individual formative feedback for possible in-depth and supplementary learning needs. This requires instruments that allow the differentiated assessment of the individual level of mathematics knowledge and skills in order to derive learning and support offers adapted to the individual needs. To meet these requirements, a differentiated and operationalizable competence model must be developed and psychometrically validated by means of suitable test items (Work Package 2). On the basis of this, formative, diagnostic instruments can be developed that make it possible to survey the current state of knowledge and skills with IT support and to derive individual feedback from this (Work Package 3). The use of modern digital media and the corresponding preparation of the developed test procedures and tools is indispensable for the location- and time-independent use of the support services (Work Package 4). The use of the project results is not limited to the field of academic education in the STEM area. Instead, the project results are to be made available as open educational resources (OER) in such a way that they are also available and consumable by other institutional providers in secondary and tertiary education as well as the interested public.