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Dr Sarah Carpenter Assistant Director

Dr Sarah Carpenter Assistant Director. Overview. Background to why we need maths support Available resources. Historical Background. Since early 90s rapid decline in students’ ability in maths on entering HE Noted in all disciplines

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Dr Sarah Carpenter Assistant Director

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  1. Dr Sarah Carpenter Assistant Director

  2. Overview • Background to why we need maths support • Available resources

  3. Historical Background • Since early 90s rapid decline in students’ ability in maths on entering HE • Noted in all disciplines • Noted across the entire university sector – irrespective of entry qualifications

  4. The level of the problem An example from Coventry University: • A 50 question multiple choice test • Taken during induction week, essentially without warning • Covers 7 topics: arithmetic, basic algebra, lines & curves, triangles, further algebra, trigonometry, basic calculus • All questions should be within ability of good A level students Duncan Lawson

  5. A Quick Competition • The next slide shows the results in the diagnostic test of those students who entered in 1991 with A level Maths grade N • It also shows the results of a grade cohort who entered in 1999. Use your skill and judgement to decide which grade.

  6. Some Results

  7. N91 vs B99 • N91 average score 68.8% • B99 average score 68.4% • In 24 question N91 did better • In 2 questions performance was same • In 24 questions B99 did better

  8. Possible Causes • Syllabus Changes • Modular A levels • Changes in exam questions • Changes in balance between pure & applied and pure & stats • Increased emphasis on key skills

  9. University Developments • Large proportion of Universities now diagnostically test on entry • However some feel this gets students off on the wrong foot • Over 50% of Universities now have some form of Mathematics Learning Support Centre • These can vary enormously

  10. sigma – Centre for Excellence in Mathematics & Statistics Support • Funded at £500,000 per annum, with a further capital fund of £2.35M sigma is built upon: • Coventry University’s Mathematics Support Centre • Supporting students since 1991 • Loughborough University’s Mathematics Education Centre • Supporting students since 1996 www.sigma-cetl.ac.uk

  11. UK Support Structure • UK Mathematics Learning Support Centre • Website www.mathcentre.ac.uk • Pilot launched October 2003 • Funded by the Learning and Teaching Support Network (LTSN) • Sister project to mathtutor – funded by the HEFCE (Higher Education Funding Council for England)

  12. Topics Covered

  13. What’s Available? Free resources for staff and students • Quick reference leaflets • provide easily accessible support on key topics • Teach-yourself booklets • give a more in-depth treatment of important topics and include theory, worked examples and exercises • Practice and revision booklets • contain hundreds of practice exercises and answers

  14. What’s Available? • On-line exercises • allow students to test themselves or practice basic techniques • Video tutorials • offer a face to students to guide them step-by-step through the key topics

  15. Resources for staff • Many of the student resources are packaged into convenient blocks for single download • Booklets to help staff: • Good Practice in the Provision of Mathematics Support Centres • Diagnostic Testing for Mathematics • Maths Support for Students • Maths for Engineering and Science • Facts and Formulae Leaflets

  16. Further resources www.mathtutor.ac.uk • Videos • Animations • Extension • Tests & Exercises • iPod Downloads

  17. Contact Dr Sarah Carpenter Assistant Director sigma – Centre for Excellence in Mathematics & Statistics sarah@sigma-cetl.ac.uk www.sigma-cetl.ac.uk

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