The room is equipped with 32 Nimbus computers and is made available in a timetabled one-hour period. At this time a CALM tutor is available. Students can also work in their own time. Each unit of software is structured in the same way. The theory covered in the lectures is reviewed, and the student is then taken through worked examples.
Some examples are in the form of games.
Thus each student in the lab has different questions. The test questions are in various parts, each requiring an answer which may include a mathematical expression. There is also a management package which stores the student's results on each test. The Sunderland project - preparation of CAL modules The traditional method of teaching remedial maths to new Engineering students was to give a pen and paper diagnostic test and to run one term of lectures based on the results. Dr Alfredo Moscardini explained that this had not accurately pinpointed individual problems or helped with mental blocks, and so the Sunderland project was devised using computer based diagnosis to determine weaknesses followed by specific tutorial help.