Mathematics Support For Engineering Students With NonTraditional Mathematics Backgrounds

1
Mathematics Support For Engineering Students With
Non-Traditional Mathematics Backgrounds

• Dr Sarah Bamforth, Dr Carol Robinson

2
Support initiatives offered by the MEC include

• Diagnostic Testing coupled with Individual
  Action Plans (one-2-one)
• Mathematics Learning Support Centre
• Drop-in-Centre Learning Resources
• Lunchtime workshops
• (Algebra , Calculus, Statistics)
• Flying Start Pre-sessional Course
• Some initiatives are primarily targeted at
  Engineering Students

3
Mathematics Key Skills Pre-sessional Course

• What? Flying Start is a short residential course
  run for Engineering students with Non-Traditional
  mathematics background.
• Why? Students may have gaps in their knowledge or
  may not have used their skills for a considerable
  period of time, increasing the risk that they may
  struggle in traditional mathematics lectures.

4
Flying Start is

• An intensive four day course covering algebra
  topics and engineering key skills.
• Students are taught in small a group environment
  with individual attention.
• Aims
• Raise awareness of and to encourage students to
  engage with the support facilities available.
• Reinforced need for mathematical competency.
• Begin process of strengthening mathematical and
  ability.
• Increase student confidence.

5
Sessions included on the Course

• Algebra e.g. transposition of formulae, solving
  quadratic equations
• Key skills e.g. Oral presentations
• Team Skills e.g. communication, team Roles
• MatLab

6
Past Courses

• 2003 Pilot
• 11 Students from the Department of Electronic
  Electrical Engineering.
• Backgrounds in BTech and GCSE Maths
• 2004
• 19 Students from the Departments of Electronic
  Electrical Engineering and Mechanical
  Manufacturing Engineering.
• Backgrounds also included Grade D at A Level

7
Effectiveness of the Intervention
Additional Support comprises one to one action
plans, workshops and/or the drop-in centre.
8
Effectiveness of the Intervention II
Key Number of times support accessed
9
Student Feedback

• Feedback from students attending Flying Start is
  very positive, with all past students rating the
  overall course either as good or very good.
• Past comments include
• Being able to see, use and feel confident in
  using the support centre as well as meeting some
  teachers was a fantastic bonus.
• A very enjoyable four days helping to iron out
  problems, really glad I came.

10
Conclusions

• Different forms of support are made available to
  engineering students, including one to one action
  plans, workshops, the drop-in centre Flying
  Start for those with non-traditional mathematics
  backgrounds.
• Flying Start aims to introduce the students to
  the support available to them at the university.
• Whilst students who attend the course are more
  likely to engage with additional support if they
  need help, the level of their engagement appears
  to be reflected in their final module grades.
• Students who initially perform badly in the
  Diagnostic Test tend to go on to pass their
  mathematics module if they make full use of the
  support on offer (use support gt10 times over the
  year)
• Students who perform badly in the diagnostic test
  but who fail to engage fully (lt10 times) with the
  support perform less well.
• Further study What is affecting students level
  of engagement with the additional support
  initiatives?