Diarmuid Ó Sé IT Carlow

Providing Extra Academic Support in Mathematics to

First Year Computing Students

Diarmuid Ó SéComputing and Networking

Department,IT Carlow.

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Diarmuid Ó Sé IT Carlow

Theme of this Workshop

‘Is Mathematics Support Worthwhile’

‘Challenges of measuring effectiveness’

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Diarmuid Ó Sé IT Carlow

Presentation Outline

1. Background

2. Experience

3. Reflections – ‘Measuring effectiveness’

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Diarmuid Ó Sé IT Carlow

Background

‘...numbers studying IT courses have fallen sharply in recent years’(HEA Progress Report 2002-2007. Improving enrolment in computing and electronic engineering)

Required annual growth of 5.6% in IT occupations every year to 2020.(Task Force. (2005). Engineering a Knowledge Island in 2020)

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Diarmuid Ó Sé IT Carlow

Background

‘Information Technology Investment Fund’ (HEA).

Computing And Networking (CAN) – ‘Drop in’ centre for first year students

– 2003 to 2008 ( December 2009?) – One Lecturer + Capitol funding – ½ Maths + ½ Programming – Available 9a.m. to 5p.m. (Mon to Fri)

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Diarmuid Ó Sé IT Carlow

Background

CAN First Years

B.Sc. Computer Games Development (L8) - Minimum Maths Requirement - 345 → 300 points (cut-off) - 40 First Years

Higher Certificate IT Support (L6) - Non CAO entry (Mature Students) - 0 First Year students

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Diarmuid Ó Sé IT Carlow

Background

CAN First Years

Common First Year (L6, L7, L8) - Software Development (L7 & L8) - Computer IT Management (L7 & L8) - Computer Networking (L6) - L6 AQA (40 students) - L7 205 points (30 students) - L8 325 points (10 students) - No special Maths requirement - 80 Students

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Diarmuid Ó Sé IT Carlow

Background

CAN First Years

Overall - 120 students - low points - Poor self-efficacy in Maths

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Diarmuid Ó Sé IT Carlow

Experience

‘Drop in’ idea was not the most efficient:- Student Timetable- Wrong Lecturer present at visit

Appointments System by e-mail- Promotion and Proactive

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Diarmuid Ó Sé IT Carlow

Experience

Promotion

Open DaysInductionClass visits (beginning of 2nd week + flier)General Group e-mailsFirst Year Lecturers

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Diarmuid Ó Sé IT Carlow

Experience

Pro-action

Attendance Record (phone call & email)- 2 weeks in- 6 weeks in- 2 weeks after Christmas - at request of other lecturers

Database available to all First Year Lecturers

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Diarmuid Ó Sé IT Carlow

Experience

Pro-action

Academic Performance (General Discussion)

- 8 weeks in- after Christmas- after Easter

Academic Performance (Maths Tuition)- Immediately after assessment results are published-2 weeks before the next assessment

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Diarmuid Ó Sé IT Carlow

Experience

Issues/Problems

Student visits during their class timeNo ShowsSubstitution versus SupportTracking AttendanceTracking Assessment PerformanceGeneric Study Skills support

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Diarmuid Ó Sé IT Carlow

Experience

Issues/Solutions

Engineer a supportive TimetableKeep Lecturers Informed of who visitsKeep ourselves informed by LecturersCommon Access SpreadsheetKeep records (time!!)

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Diarmuid Ó Sé IT Carlow

Experience

Supporting Maths Learning(Operational)

one to one versus tutorial groups

not just in Maths Modules

location

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Diarmuid Ó Sé IT Carlow

Experience

Supporting Maths Learning(Pedagogical)

dealing from ‘math anxiety’ to ‘mastery’

take a different approach to lecturer but use the similar examples

Follow on support contingent on homework

draw on their own current level of knowledge and understanding

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Diarmuid Ó Sé IT Carlow

Experience

Supporting Maths Learning(Pedagogical)

cater for different learning styles.

encourage peer learning

keep students involved and active.

Homework and written feedback.

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Diarmuid Ó Sé IT Carlow

Reflections

Changing Academic Environment

Suite of available courses Number of first year students (70140) Common First Year – no end-of-year exams

(Sept. 2005) More diverse student population (15%30%)

- Access - Mature

- International

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Diarmuid Ó Sé IT Carlow

ReflectionsStatistics - Maths visits

25% to 35% of first year students

110 to 150 visits

mean of 3 to 4 visits per visiting student

ranging from 1 to 15 visits per student19

Diarmuid Ó Sé IT Carlow

ReflectionsStatistics – Progression into 2nd Year

40% to 55% of registered (Oct 1st Year 1) progress to 2nd year.

Increase in overall exam pass rate from: 52% to 75%

40% to 75% visited the centre Increase in pass rate for maths from:

65% to 82%

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Diarmuid Ó Sé IT Carlow

ReflectionsStatistics – 2nd Years Self Evaluation

20% to 44% would not be in 2nd year without the support centre

10 to 17 percentage point increase in throughput

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Diarmuid Ó Sé IT Carlow

Reflections ‘Collateral Retention’

Computer Games Development (L8): (05-06) - 21 out of 52 did not make 2nd year - semi-structured phone interview

- 17 out of 21 responded

Indicator but not a determinant - Leaving Cert Points - Leaving Cert Maths

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Diarmuid Ó Sé IT Carlow

Reflections‘Collateral Retention’

Main Barrier - Programming 25% - Maths 25%

6 from the 17 on other IT Carlow Full-Time programmes

3 from 17 repeating (temp work)

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Diarmuid Ó Sé IT Carlow

Reflections‘Collateral Retention’

‘Drop in Centre’ support means that, from an Institute wide perspective, retention rates have improved.

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Diarmuid Ó Sé IT Carlow

THANKS FOR LISTENING

QUESTIONS/COMMENTS

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