Math-Retention Project at

1

• Math-Retention Project at
• De Anza Community College

Susan Dean Instructor Physical Sciences, Mathemati
cs Engineering deansusan_at_deanza.edu
Website http//faculty.deanza.edu/deansusan
2
The Math-Retention Project

• Used for Developmental Classes Math 210
  (pre-alg.), Math 112 (beg. Alg.) and Math 114
  (int. alg.)
• Specialized program
• MPS (Math Performance Success) We needed an
  MPS-like program for all our developmental
  students
• Combines web-based math software that stresses
  homework mastery with a retention/success program

3
How Do We Use the Math Software (SW)?

• Total course
• Visualizations for better understanding
  (Concepts)
• Examples
• Homework is done online (mastery)
• Homework problems are adaptive
• Quizzes/some tests done online
• Management system tracks students progress
• Instructor provided with a grade book
• Mail system

4
How Do We Use the Math Software?(cont.)

• Class formats
• 5-days per week 50 min. per class (40 size) lab
  3 of the days
• 2-days per week 70 min. per class (40 size) lab
  half time
• 4-days per week 4 50 min. sessions in class 4
  50 min. lab sessions for the instructor, 2 for
  the student (large 80 size)
• HYBRID class meets once a week in lab for 70
  min.

5
How Do We Use the Math Software? (cont.)

• Lecture vs. Lab
• Less lecture and more lab Bring up Concepts and
  Example features in the SW.
• Lecture time Often used to do worksheets that
  reinforce skills learned through online homework
• Lab time the bulk of the course. Students
  presented with one problem at a time (immediate
  feedback)

6
How Do We Use the Math Software?(cont.)

• Students Do the Work
• Each class works from a syllabus easily created
  from a matrix.
• Homework done in the class lab, in open lab and
  at home.
• Dated assignments keep students on track.
• Locked/unlocked and dated quizzes.
• One problem at a time forces students to slow
  down and pay attention to detail

7
Message Center
8
Syllabus for Intermediate Algebra
9
Assignment Problem
10
Concepts
11
Examples
12
Quizzes/Tests
13
Grapher
14
Grade Book
15
Class Administration
16
Syllabus Edit
17
College Student Survey (CSS)

• What is it?
• Survey used to
• increase student success
• improve student retention
• enhance advising
• Internet based or paper-and-pencil
• Mandatory Students in the project must take the
  CSS

18
College Student Survey (cont.)

• When is it given?
• Currently In the lab during the 2nd week of
  school
• Can be taken on any computer with an Internet
  connection
• Future Before classes start each quarter

19
College Student Survey (cont.)

• Counselors
• visit classes after CSS is given
• bring personal reports for students to the lab
  explain report meet with willing students after
  the presentation
• Email all students inviting them to visit the
  counselor
• phone or email at-risk students (indicated by the
  CSS) who did not respond to email inviting them
  to meet individually with the counselor

20
College Student System (cont.)

• Counselors
• make a follow-up visit to the classes the 8th
  week
• will meet to discuss and review practices in
  order to improve for next quarter and beyond

21
Student Satisfaction Survey

• Written and conducted by Andrew LaManque, De Anza
  Researcher June 2006 (See http//www.research.fhda
  .edu/researchreports/researchreports.php under
  the name Andrew La Manque)
• 85 more engaged using software (SW)
• 79 learned more math with SW
• 80 felt SW helped improve grade
• 86 would take another class with SW

22
Student Satisfaction Survey (cont.)

• 42 said they did better in the class after
  learning the results of the College Student
  Survey (CSS)
• 68 would recommend CSS to other students

23

• Math Software

• Information
• 100 Java Code
• Requires Internet Connection
• Web Browser Internet Explorer (version 5 and
  above), Mozilla Firefox, Netscape (version 6 and
  above)
• Platforms Windows 98 second edition and above,
  Mac OS X 10.2 (Jaguar) and above
• Changes are being made for accessibility
• Guidebooks for each module