The challenges and The challenges and benefits of using benefits of using

technology in technology in Mathematics Support Mathematics Support

Dr. Ciarán Mac an BhairdDr. Ciarán Mac an Bhaird

NUI Maynooth.NUI Maynooth.

44thth Irish Workshop of Mathematics Learning Irish Workshop of Mathematics Learning and Support Centres.and Support Centres.

December 2009December 2009

DCUDCU

OverviewOverview►Use technology to provide extra Use technology to provide extra

resources and opportunities for ‘at-risk’ resources and opportunities for ‘at-risk’ students.students.

►Advantages: re-usable learning objects, Advantages: re-usable learning objects, students respond to perceived extra students respond to perceived extra effort, 24 hour access for students, effort, 24 hour access for students, other learning benefits for students, other learning benefits for students, encourages collaboration.encourages collaboration.

►Disadvantages: software and hardware Disadvantages: software and hardware issues, internet access for students, issues, internet access for students, impersonal, expensive costs? impersonal, expensive costs?

Online CoursesOnline Courses►Students who fail Mathematics Students who fail Mathematics

Proficiency Test are enrolled on the Proficiency Test are enrolled on the Mathematics Proficiency Course: Mathematics Proficiency Course: https://moodle.nuim.ie/2010/https://moodle.nuim.ie/2010/

►There is an additional Mathematics There is an additional Mathematics Foundation Course principally for Foundation Course principally for non-Mathematics Students who are non-Mathematics Students who are struggling with the mathematical struggling with the mathematical aspects of their courses.aspects of their courses.

►Easy to analyse records, the course is Easy to analyse records, the course is very easy to edit and maintain. Gives very easy to edit and maintain. Gives students organised access to material students organised access to material which otherwise would seem which otherwise would seem overwhelming and intimidating.overwhelming and intimidating.

►Difficulties maintaining high level of Difficulties maintaining high level of participation, students do not always participation, students do not always see the relevance to their actual see the relevance to their actual Mathematics modules. Technical Mathematics modules. Technical difficulties, e.g. being able to view the difficulties, e.g. being able to view the videos etc. Courses are ‘faceless’, videos etc. Courses are ‘faceless’, impersonal etc.impersonal etc.

WorkshopsWorkshops►Follow up workshops each week for Follow up workshops each week for

students struggling with course students struggling with course material.material.

►Students email tutor requesting issues Students email tutor requesting issues to be dealt with.to be dealt with.

►Tutor uses ‘Sympodium’ to present the Tutor uses ‘Sympodium’ to present the material. Students can sit and listen material. Students can sit and listen to the tutor, ask questions without to the tutor, ask questions without having to take extensive notes.having to take extensive notes.

►Notes posted onto the moodle site for Notes posted onto the moodle site for students to access.students to access.

►Students highlight the benefits of this Students highlight the benefits of this approach, report an increased approach, report an increased understanding of the material because understanding of the material because they can listen. They highlight that they can listen. They highlight that they can take notes of what the tutor they can take notes of what the tutor is saying, questions that other is saying, questions that other students ask etc.students ask etc.

►Others report that the handwritten Others report that the handwritten notes are easy to understand, less notes are easy to understand, less impersonal than typed notes and the impersonal than typed notes and the diagrams are easier to follow as they diagrams are easier to follow as they can see how they were produced. can see how they were produced.

► This technology is also used in the First This technology is also used in the First Science Mathematics Workshop. Science Mathematics Workshop.

► This course is specifically designed to be This course is specifically designed to be student directed and is principally aimed student directed and is principally aimed at the weaker students.at the weaker students.

► The tutor presents issues raised by the The tutor presents issues raised by the students which are usually basic issues to students which are usually basic issues to do with their course material.do with their course material.

► Examples Examples Conference\Workshop4SciLimits.pdfConference\Workshop4SciLimits.pdf

Conference\Proficiency5.pdfConference\Proficiency5.pdf►Main disadvantage is the initial cost of the Main disadvantage is the initial cost of the

unit, around €2000, but now being unit, around €2000, but now being introduced to most theatres.introduced to most theatres.

Other projectsOther projects►Recording of screencasts and podcasts.Recording of screencasts and podcasts.►The main purpose is to provide extra The main purpose is to provide extra

resources for students.resources for students.►Advantages: Re-usable Learning Objects, Advantages: Re-usable Learning Objects,

students can have open access to students can have open access to material, more ‘friendly’ medium, material, more ‘friendly’ medium, relatively easy to use the software, relatively easy to use the software, relatively cheap.relatively cheap.

►Disadvantages: Extremely time-Disadvantages: Extremely time-consuming to create, students can have consuming to create, students can have technical issues viewing the objects.technical issues viewing the objects.

ExamplesExamples►ScreencastScreencast

Conference\calculus2(3).wmvConference\calculus2(3).wmv►PodcastPodcast

Conference\8.6.mp3Conference\8.6.mp3

►Go raibh maith agaibh uilig.Go raibh maith agaibh uilig.