< Previous | Contents | Next >
Inna Namestnikova1, Martin Greenhow2
1BEEC, ASK, Brunel University, United Kingdom
2CEDPS, Department of Mathematics, Brunel University, United Kingdom
The ongoing gap between secondary and university level mathematics continues to be a major concern to higher education institutions. The increase in diversity of students’ backgrounds in mathematics, from students who have studied the more traditional A- level programmes to students with BTEC (the Business and Technology Education Council qualifications ) or international qualifications as well as part-time students who have been out of education for long periods, is a growing issue at Brunel University. Many of these students are admitted by the College of Engineering, Design and Physical Sciences and are looking for support with maths and mechanics.
The CAA package Maths e. g. (formerly “Mathletics”) which is being developed by Martin Greenhow has been used for teaching and assessing Brunel students for many years now. Computer tests (diagnostic or assessment) based on the Maths e.g. question database are embedded into several engineering courses. Students also have access to the Maths e.g. either via computers on campus or via the national Maths Centre website which allows them to use this program as a learning resource.
The Maths e.g. package is also widely used by the Brunel maths and numeracy support team (ASK service). The ASK service also offers help and support in practical work with Maths e.g.
This practice definitely helps students to prepare for exams, build their confidence, become independent learners and to improve their exam performance, as a result to improving the transition, progression and retention of engineering students. The students who have used CAA are more likely to successively complete their course.Details of the content of support via CAA along with student feedback will be presented with scope for some critical discussion around some of the issues which arise.
Another positive is that some students are able to take part in the development of new CAA maths and mechanics questions via SIGMA-funded internships. Two projects funded by SIGMA (one over last summer and the second over the current academic year) allowed to increase the number of questions and gave a chance for the interns to bring fresh ideas and develop significant programming and pedagogical skills. Some details of this Student Internship Programme will also be reported.