DUMP: A Database of Useful MCQs for Physics

Abstract

This communication describes the output of a Development Project awarded in 2005 to fund a collaborative project between the Universities of Edinburgh and St. Andrews. The project aimed to take an in-house collection of over 400 multiple choice / multiple response questions on topics in introductory Physics (gathered and developed over many years of teaching) and publish them in an interactive, online, browsable collection, freely available to educators to use as a resource for their teaching. The system that we have created has functionality similar to online shopping or auction sites such as Amazon and eBay (without the cost!). In this communication we will outline some of the rationale that led us to attempt this project, describe the issues and challenges for the project, illustrate ways the system can be used to support teaching and learning and conclude with thoughts for the future progress and sustainability of such systems, including plans for the continuing development of the output from this project.