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Ciaran O'Sullivan, Paul Robinson, John Keogh, John O'Neill
Institute of Technology Tallaght, Dublin 24, Ireland
So called ‘Maths anxiety’ can be a key inhibitor for some adult learners considering higher education. The Institute of Technology Tallaght Dublin (ITTD) hosts a mathematics education research group, designated as the ‘Centre of Expertise for Adult Numeracy/Mathematics Education’, which is a hub of EPISTEM (formerly known as the National Centre for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching and Learning (NCE-MSTL)). Members of this group have identified the key issues that informed the design of enabling-mathematics courses for adults returning to higher education; how to structure this process of re-engagement, and how to adapt the re-engagement process to practical time constraints.
This paper outlines how insights from the successful Primer Mathematics module for mature students intending taking the FLASHE (FLexible AccesS to Higher Education) Higher Certificate in Electronic Engineering at ITTD were used to identify the key elements of a model that should shape such courses. For example, the imperative in bringing prospective students back into contact with mathematics in a way that boosts their confidence in their mathematical ability, rather than placing an emphasis on addressing all deficits in pre-entry mathematics learning, emerged as one key element for such modules.
How these key elements were used to design and implement a different pair of complementary modules in preparatory mathematics for students entering all modules in ITTD, as part of Certificate in Preparatory Study for Third Level, is explained. The positive impact of these new modules on student learning as evidenced by the evaluative student feedback is examined. More critically, the strong, positive correlation between favourable progression rates and those who completed the module, compared with those who did not, is discussed.
Ciaran O'Sullivan, Lecturer, Dept. of Mechanical Engineering, National Teaching Expert Awardee 2015
Paul Robinson, Lecturer, Dept of Applied Science John Keogh, Associate Lecturer, Dept of Humanities John O'Neill, Head of Dept of Lifelong Learning