The dependence on mathematical theory in TIMSS, PISA and TIMSS Advanced test items and its relation to student achievement

Background This paper discusses a framework for analyzing the dependence on mathematical theory in test items, that is, a framework for discussing to what extent knowledge of mathematical theory is helpful for the student in solving the item. The framework can be applied to any test in which some knowledge of mathematical theory may be useful, both within mathematics itself and in other subjects. The relevance of the framework is related to the important distinction between language and content in mathematical theory. Method We used groups of scorers categorizing test items from TIMSS grade 8, PISA, and TIMSS Advanced. Differences in results across countries and groups of countries are analyzed. Results Our results indicate, among other things, that the dependence on mathematical theory in the set of TIMSS Advanced 2015 physics test items is greater than in the set of PISA 2012 mathematics test items. Concerning relations to item difficulty, we find interesting differences in average p-values between the sets of item groups defined by our framework concerning participating countries and geographically defined groups of countries. Conclusions The results indicate deep differences in mathematics teaching traditions and curricula in different regions of the world. Documenting such differences may help different educational systems learn from each other, and as such is relevant for all forms of educational research

Developing Scientific workflows from Heterogeneous Services

Scientific WorkFlows (SWFs) need to utilize components and applications in order to satisfy the requirements of specific workflow tasks. Technology trends in software development signify a move from component-based to service-oriented approach, therefore SWF will inevitably need appropriate tools to discover and integrate heterogeneous services. In this paper we present the SODIUM platform consisting of a set of languages and tools as well as related middleware, for the development and execution of scientific workflows composed of heterogeneous services. © 2006, Authors. All rights reserved

Developing scientific workflows from heterogeneous services

Scientific WorkFlows (SWFs) need to utilize components and applications in order to satisfy the requirements of specific workflow tasks. Technology trends in software development signify a move from component-based to service-oriented approach, therefore SWF will inevitably need appropriate tools to discover and integrate heterogeneous services. In this paper we present the SODIUM platform consisting of a set of languages and tools as well as related middleware, for the development and execution of scientific workflows composed of heterogeneous services. 1

Flexible model element introduction policies for aspect-oriented modeling

Aspect-Oriented Modeling techniques make it possible to use model transformation to achieve advanced separation of concerns within models. Applying aspects that introduce model elements into a base model in the context of large, potentially composite models is nevertheless tricky: when a pointcut model matches several join points within the base model, it is not clear whether the introduced element should be instantiated once for each match, once within each composite, once for the whole model, or based on a more elaborate criteria. This paper argues that in order to enable a modeler to write semantically correct aspects for large, composite models, an aspect weaver must support a flexible instantiation policy for model element introduction. Example models highlighting the need for such a mechanism are shown, and details of how such policies can be implemented are presented. © 2010 Springer-Verlag