Nuala Curley: Methods used to measure the impact and effectiveness of the mathematics support...
Transcript of Nuala Curley: Methods used to measure the impact and effectiveness of the mathematics support...
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Methods used to measure the impact and effectiveness of the mathematics support provided
by the UCD Mathematics Support Centre.
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Origins MSC
• In 2003 the Department of Mathematics secured HEA funding. Opened Feb 04 and a manager was appointed.
• UCD has funded MSC since 2007
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Aims of the MSC The Mathematics Support Centre (MSC) in UCD aims :
• To provide Mathematics support for students in a friendly, relaxed and informal atmosphere.
• To enable students to build confidence in their own mathematical ability.
• To provide targeted mathematics support for Access and Level One students
• To increase the effectiveness of the MSC by evaluating the MSC’s activities and by liaising with other maths support groups
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Services provided
• Dedicated drop-in centre staffed by friendly and supportive tutors.
• One-to-one tuition or group-tuition as required.• Supervised study.• Hot Topic tutorials.• Relevant textbooks and handouts.• Web-based learning materials.• Directed link on Blackboard to the MSC.• Practise sheets covering problem areas for Access and Level One students.
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Opening Hours
• 22 hours per week. Does not open on Fridays
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Figure 3. Level of students attending MSC 2008
4%
60%
28%
5%
1%
2%
AccessFirst LevelSecond LevelThird LevelFourth LevelPost-graduate
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Outcomes sought• UCD was supporting the MSC for the first time. If the
MSC was to be secure we needed to ensure that the funding was on-going so it was necessary to
• Increase the numbers attending
• Demonstrate a more efficient use of Budget
• Give students the opportunity to evaluate the work of the MSC and give feedback for further development
• Increase the profile of the MSC across the university.
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Increasing numbers• Addressed Level One students• Altered opening hours to allow students with
busy schedules to attend• Upgraded the website • Promoted the MSC by Posters and website• Received support from lecturers who
recommended to their students to attend the MSC
• Organised Hot Topic Sessions
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Which methods were affective
0%
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30%
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60% Lectures
Recommendation of afriendBlackboard
Plasma screen
Blackboard, Notices&Flyers
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How were the numbers measured?
• Each student filled out a form giving the following information
• Name• Date • Time in time out• Topic covered and• Module being studied
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Weekly AttendanceFigure 2. Weekly attendance 2007/2008
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Week number
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isits
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Numbers attending over 4 years
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2004/2005 2005/2006 2006/2007 2007/2008
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Budget Planning
• Finances were carefully planned and monitored using spreadsheeets
• Since student attendance could be computerised, tutoring hours were adjusted to make more effective use of budget.
• Where a demand was indicated special Hot Topics were organised.
• Budget Sheets were updated monthly and any shortfalls adjusted
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Budget
• More effective use of budget was demonstrated by reduced costs per hour
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Student Evaluation• Evaluation forms were only filled by those
who had attended• Emailed out to students or available in the
MSC• Return Rate was 29%• Additional information was offered by 95%
of respondents
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Why respondents first decided to use the MSC
otherTutorialillness
specific area
sometime
Background
0%
5%
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15%
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25%
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45%
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Students Opinions
• Respondents were asked for their opinions on various aspects of the MSC using a five point Likert item.
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Students opinions of the MSCDid the MSC
• Have a welcoming atmosphere?• Have suitable opening hours?• Encourage students to work with other
students in their class?• Provide a relaxed place to study?
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The MSC has a welcoming atmosphere
• 99% of students agreed with this statement
• “Very welcoming atmosphere. Tutors who are patient and let you work at your own pace”
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The MSC encourages teamwork
0%5%
10%15%20%25%30%35%
S/Agree
Agree
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S/Disagree
No entry
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Relaxed place to study
• 88% stated that they found the MSC a relaxed place to study.
• “ I thought it was a very positive experience.Staff were very approachable with a relaxed atmosphere to learn and ask questions in”
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Suitable opening hours
0%
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S/agree Neither S/disagree
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Students opinions of the MSC Staff
• Are they friendly and approachable?• Have they good teaching abilities?• Have they a good knowledge of mathematics?• Do they help you to cope better?• Do they motivate you to study?
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Staff are friendly and approachable
• 99% agreed with this.
• “It has helped me a lot in my first year of maths. They are very friendly and welcoming making it easier to come down and ask for help”
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The staff have good teaching abilities
• 100% agreed with this.
• “Great really easy to understand difficult concepts”
• 97% agreed that staff have a good knowledge of maths.
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The staff help you to cope better
0%10%20%30%40%50%60%70%80%
S/agree Agree Neither
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Quote from one student among many
• “To put it simply I would have failed both maths modules I have taken this year. It has put my mind at ease and I have already got a “B” in my first semester maths, I would have failed if not for the MSC. Thank you so much.”
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The MSC staff motivate you to study
0%
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S/agree Agree Neither Disgree No entry
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Motivated me to study
• “Very helpful and made me realise I need to start studying maths, particularly where I am weak”
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Passed Module
• 92% pass rate
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To increase the profi le of the MSC
• Orientation: Mature students, Foreign students, New Era students, Disability,Commerce, Science mentoring group,Medicine, Agricultural students
• Personal Contact with lecturers in various Programmes throughout UCD
• Annual Report widely distributed• Student Advisors• Vice Presidents and heads of departments• Career Guidance Counsellors
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Conclusions• Attendance recorded and more than doubled.• MSC was kept within budget and increased
efficiency demonstrated• The quality of Service was formally evaluated with
very positive results• Students show a very high level of satisfaction with
services provided• Profile of the MSC has been increased across the
college