11th Annual Irish Workshop on Mathematics Learning Support
‘Supporting students, raising standards in maths at secondary and Higher Education level’
North West Regional College, Derry/ Londonderry, Friday 15thDecember 2017
9:30-10:00Registration &Coffee/Tea
10:00-10:10WelcomeAddress
Mr Leo Murphy (Principal NWRC)
10:10-10:40Keynote
The role of student evaluations in mathematics learning support
Dr Ciarán Mac An Bhaird (Maynooth University)
+5 minutes Q&A
10:45-11:00Coffee/Tea Break
11:00-11:30Speaker
Open Source Freeware as a Tool for Learning Support
Chris McCallion LYIT
11:35-11:50Speaker
The impact of Mathematics learning support on Student progression at UL
Aoife Guerin
Richard Walsh
Olivia Fitzmaurice
12:00-13:00Lunch
13:00-13:30Keynote
Formative assessment in mathematics using log books, peer assessment and reflection
Dr Jonathan Coleand Karen Fraser(Queen’s University Belfast)
+5 minutes Q&A
13:30-14:20IMLSN Speakers
Full-time mathematics learning support (MLS) tutors
Peter Mulligan (University Tutor in the Mathematics Support Centre (MSC) at Maynooth University)
The role of mathematics support centres from a socio-cultural point of view
Dr. Kirsten Pfeiffer, School of Mathematics, Statistics and Applied Mathematics, National University of Ireland, Galway
14:20-15:00Workshops
- Chris McCallion LYIT - Open Source Freeware as a Tool for Learning Support
- Martin Peoples NWRC - Enhanced Technologies Interactive Classroom Delivery
- Franz Schlindwein (Founder of Qubizm Ltd) - Developing Critical Thinking and Problem Solving Skills for Mathematics
15:00-15:30Coffee/Networking
Abstracts
Title'Evaluating Maths Learning Support Provision: What is the point?'
Abstract
SpeakerDr. Ciarán Mac An Bhaird (Maynooth University)
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TitleOpen Source Freeware as a Tool for Learning Support
AbstractThe use of open source and freeware products offers opportunities for the development of student learning support tools and assessment tools. The learning tools are cross-platform, so that students can access them from a range of devices including smart phones. The assessment tools can be structured to provide immediate results, so identifying for students areas of strength and areas for further work. This has the further advantage of minimizing lecturer administration, so allowing for more teaching time. This paper and the practical demonstration shows the use of open source freeware for teaching and assessment in Mathematics. It is based on a teaching project currently in progress for the Access Programme at Letterkenny I.T.
SpeakerChris McCallion LYIT
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TitleThe impact of Mathematics learning support on Student progression at UL
AbstractIn this talk we give a brief overview of how we measure the impact of the drop in centre on student performance in examinations at the end of the academic year. We compare the end of year results of MLS attendees and non-attendees who scored similarly in the start-of-year diagnostic test. The results demonstrate a difference in performance of those who attend MLS.
SpeakerAoife Guerin Univeristy of Limerick Mathematics Learning Centre
Richard Walsh
Olivia Fitzmaurice
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TitleFormative assessment in mathematics using log books, peer assessment and reflection
AbstractThe core mathematics module for first-year engineering students (190 students) has recently undergone a redesign of the module delivery and assessment. The aim is to build student confidence by encouraging them to take greater responsibility for their learning through the use of self and peer assessment and reflection on the quality of their work and learning. Students keep a log book in which they attempt a worksheet each week before the weekly feedback session. They also record peer feedback and reflection in the log book. It is low risk for the students: if they find the tasks easy, they benefit from the teamwork in class, teaching others and learning to give feedback on their peers’ work; if they find the work more challenging, they can receive help both in class and outside class through the maths drop-in support or the peer mentoring scheme. The log books form 50% of the module assessment with the remaining assessment through an exam. Impact of the changes could be represented by improvements in the student experience, improved exam performance, students being better prepared for second year and being more confident in their academic ability. Data gathered to evidence impact has come through mid-module evaluation, focus groups, post-module feedback forms and exam results. The presentation will describe the changes implemented and consider their effectiveness using some of the data listed above.
SpeakerDr. Jonathan Coleand Karen Fraser (Queen’s University Belfast)
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TitleFull-time mathematics learning support (MLS) tutors
AbstractIn September 2016, I was appointed as University Tutor in the Mathematics Support Centre (MSC) at Maynooth University. This is the first full-time position of this kind on the island of Ireland.
In this talk, I will discuss my experiences over the past nine months, and my thoughts on the benefits of such positions to MSCs, students, institutions and the wider MLS community. I will also give a personal perspective on what a full-time position means to me and what influence it has on my career.
SpeakerPeter Mulligan (University Tutor in the Mathematics Support Centre (MSC) at Maynooth University)
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Title The role of mathematics support centres from a socio-cultural point of view
AbstractMathematics support centres play an important role in the teaching and learning of mathematics at university level. The centres provide opportunities for students to work in groups or explore mathematics with some guidance, which is often difficult to achieve in large lectures or tutorials. In this talk I will discuss the role of mathematics support centres from a socio-cultural point of view. In this view learning takes place as participation in a community of practice (COP). Providing access to a COP is seen as crucial for the transition from school to university, however it is particularly challenging to provide opportunities of mathematical practice in a university environment. I argue that mathematics support centres have potential to provide such opportunities for students.
SpeakerDr. Kirsten Pfeiffer, School of Mathematics, Statistics and Applied Mathematics
National University of Ireland, Galway