Lomonosov Moscow State University Faculty of Computational Mathematics and Cybernetics

Approaches to learning outcomes. The quality system of education

V.V.Tikhomirov and A.V.Razgulin
INARM Webinar
Moscow - 20.03.2013

CMC MSU B.Sc. and M.Sc. training Directions

Applied Mathematics and Informatics

Fundamental Informatics and Information technology

The system of quality assurance

for the Applied Mathematics and

Information Technologies should meet Qualification characteristics of a graduate (CS 2013) based on the following

general principles

General principles

1. Technical understanding of computer science.

Graduates should possess an understanding of computer science as described in the kernel of knowledge.

General principles

2. Familiarity with common themes and principles.

Graduates need to understand a number of recurring themes, such as abstraction, complexity and evolutionary change, and a set of general principles, such as the joint use of shared resources, security, and parallelism.

General principles

3. Recognition of the relationships between the theory and practice.

Graduate program in applied mathematics and information technology must be understood as the theory and practice of influence on each other.

General principles

4. System level
Graduates should think at different levels of abstraction. The skills must exceed the level of detailed understanding of the implementation of various particular components in order to cover the whole structure of computer systems and processes in the framework of their construction and analysis. They must recognize the context of computer system operating, which includes interactions with the people and the physical world.

General principles

5. Problem-solving skills
Graduates must understand how to apply the knowledge they have acquired to solve real problems, not just write code and move bits. Ability to realize that there are several solutions to this problem, and that the choice between them is not a purely technical activity, as these decisions will have a real impact on people's lives.

General principles

6. Project experience.
In most cases, it means the experience of a real software development project. Also there are other experiments, for example, social projects. Students should have the opportunity to develop their interpersonal skills, as part of their experience of working in a big project.

General principles

7. Communication and organizational skills.

Graduates should be able to: i. make brief presentations to various audiences about technical problems and their solutions; ii. work effectively as a team member; iii. manage their own learning and development, including time management, priorities and progress.

General principles

8. Awareness of widespread use of computing.

The rapid development of ICT platforms ranging from embedded micro-sensors to high-performance clusters and distributed cloud computing applications affects almost every aspect of modern life. Graduates need to understand the wide range of features available in computer science.

General principles

9. Assessment of subjectspecific knowledge.

Graduates must understand that Computer Science interacts with many different scientific and applied areas. Solutions to many problems require knowledge and skills in high performance computing. Thus, graduates must be able to communicate with and learn from experts from various fields throughout their careers.

The elements of the system of quality assurance

For the evaluation of students Universities create Data Bases of assessment tools:
1. electronic data bank; 2. bank of certification tests; 3. tasks for independent off-class work; 4. collections of project tasks; 5. lists of abstracts; 6. topics of course and Diploma final work.

The elements of the system of quality assurance

In particular, these Data Bases may contain:

checklists and sample assignments for practical training, laboratory and tests, workshops, tests and examinations, tests and computer testing programs; approximate subject course works (projects), reports, etc., as well as other forms of control, aimed to assess the competence level of students.

Types of control

The following types of control are utilized during training process:

- oral examination;
- written work; - control by means of special hardware and information systems.

Types of control

Each type of control is allocated according to the method of detection for the competencies formed:
During the conversation between a teacher and student; In the process of creating and testing written materials; Using computer software, equipment, facilities, etc.

Oral examination

Oral exams
i. intend to evaluate students knowledge and outlook; ii. ability to construct a logically correct answer; iii. possession monologue speech and other communication skills.

Written forms of control

Written exams
i. save teacher time; ii. test the validity of assessment; iii. reduce the degree of subjectivity to the evaluation of the student's training due to its individual characteristics; iv. less flexible way to control than the oral exams.

IT and information systems as control tools

Application of IT provides:
- quick and efficient delivery for an objective information on the assimilation of current training material while the training process; - creation of the detailed and personalized report for evaluation of training results and rapid adjustment of learning processes;
- the formation and accumulation of integrated (rating) evaluation of students' progress in all subjects and modules of the training program;

IT information systems as control tools

- impart practical skills of working with information resources and facilities;

- ability of self-control and motivation of students during independent off-class work;

Each type of control is performed with the appropriate forms, which can be the same for several controls. Accordingly, several control species can be combined in some forms of control.

Forms of control
Interview Colloquium Test Control work Standings Exam (on discipline, module, HAI) Lab Summary Report (by practices, research work) Course work Final qualifying work

Certain competencies are acquired in the course of laboratory work, writing essays, internships, etc. Control of their progress is applied in the form of lecturer audit of the results of the work and issuing assessment.

Written forms of control

Written work may include:

tests; control of work; essay; abstract; coursework; practice report; reports on students scientific research .

Final work
According to the purpose, timing and content, exhaust B.Sc. work is a training and qualification work of undergraduate. It is designed to identify the preparation level of graduates able to continue their education on the educational-professional program of the next step.

Final work must be related to the elaborating of specific theoretical and practical issues of the research, teaching and other activity conducted by the department.

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