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Noel-Ann Bradshaw
University of Greenwich
University of GreenwichMaths Café
Aims of Workshop
To explain:what we are doingwhy we are doing it how it has worked.
Situation Faced
Wide ability range of students – both ends of the spectrum
Need to help students that are strugglingNeed to stretch more confident studentsNeed to get to know studentsNeed them to be better at social interaction with
peers and staff
Our response
Weekly drop in sessionSpace to get help on tutorial questionsOpportunities to play strategy games with peers
and staff‘Common room’ feelA place where maths is gossiped aboutSome visiting speakersInitially funded by University grant
Maths Cafés elsewherePortsmouthBrunelLeeds
WarwickProvides support to
maths students through the Maths Society
Provide maths support to non-mathematics students across the University
Maths support
‘Students making the transition from school to university and wishing to study quantitative subjects may not be adequately prepared. There is therefore a responsibility for universities to put in place appropriate support mechanisms to ease this transition phase’.
Celia Hoyles, 2010, Mathematics and the Transition from School to University.
Support
Strategy games
Student Feedback
Friendly
‘I must admit I felt somewhat dubious about the word ‘enjoyable’ being used but I’m glad to say I was quickly proved wrong. It’s such a laid back and friendly environment to work in and be a part of and a really good way to meet people and get to know the lecturers in a more informal environment’.
Fun
‘I have been to nearly every Maths Café session, as I love both the company and the games and fun I have whilst I am there. The people who were once strangers to me when I first started are now some of my closest friends’.
Help
‘I like to go to the Maths Café because all of my tutors attend it, so if I need any kind of help to solve any subject related or a coursework problem, I can directly ask them there’.
‘I decided to go Maths Café so I could revise for the calculus class test and that’s when I saw that there were many activities being held there. I didn’t really go there to learn, I just went there to relax and revise and I think I liked it for that’.
Lucky
‘Could we have an extra hour for Maths Café? I enjoy the interaction of lectures and students not only first year students; we also have third year students with whom we can chat about the course and ask for advice’.
‘To be honest all I can say is that I am pretty lucky to have this opportunity to find help in times of struggle’.
First Year Attainment
First year pass rate for courses has increased.Yet there are nearly twice as many students as
last year.
Thank you for listening
Any questions?
References Pevy, L., 2008. The Portsmouth University Maths Café –
Making a Virtue of Necessity. [Online]. Available at: http://www.port.ac.uk/departments/academic/maths/mathscafe/information/filetodownload,97161,en.pdf
Accessed: 3rd May 2011
Hoyles, C., 2010. Mathematics and the Transition from School to University. In, MSOR (HEA Maths, Stats and OR Network), Responding to the Mathematics Problem: The Implementation of Institutional Support Mechanisms. [Online]. Available at: http://www.mathcentre.ac.uk/resources/uploaded/mathssupportvolumefinal.pdf
Accessed: 3rd May 2011