Issues for mathematics and statistics within a central learning support unit :Issues for mathematics and statistics within a central learning support unit Lyn Armstrong Student Learning Unit University of Western Sydney


Overview :Overview Introduction Overview of mathematics and statistics support at UWS Issues and future challenges


UWS – where we are :UWS – where we are


A bit about UWS … :A bit about UWS … 6 campuses covering entire west of Sydney 35 000 students – 28 000 UG Larger campuses: Parramatta and Penrith Smaller: Hawkesbury & Blacktown Motto: ‘Bringing knowledge to life’


Student Learning UnitRecent history :Student Learning UnitRecent history 2006 review of the Student Services unit Implementation not yet complete Overview of changes


Overview of changes in 2007 :Overview of changes in 2007


Student Learning Unit :Student Learning Unit Mission The Student Learning Unit works within the mission of UWS to enhance students’ academic achievement through development of academic language, mathematics and learning skills.


Short History of Maths Support :Short History of Maths Support UWS Nepean (1996) Maths Mentors 2x 0.5 funded LSU & Eng & Sc Funding change 1x 0.5 LSU funds UWS as single university (2000) 1.5 FTE Maths/stats support, ↑ 2 FTE SLU centrally funded Some programs (enabling) use other sources


Mathematics support at UWS :Mathematics support at UWS All services are FREE Provided by Student Learning Unit 3 lecturers = 2 F/T positions cover 2 campuses each Providing: Pre-semester bridging/enabling programs (students with UWS offers) Workshops during semester On-line maths/stats support: ‘Improve Your Maths’ web-site Collaborating With lecturers in some units concerning maths/numeracy content As part of Learning and Teaching projects


Where is the Maths/Stats? :Where is the Maths/Stats? Specific Mathematics & Statistics Units eg Mathematics for Engineering, Business Statistics Units where the maths/stats is an obvious componenteg Physics, some science units, drug calculations in nursing units Units where the maths/stats components are not obviouseg Science units eg Biology, microeconomics, tourism trends


UWS bridging/enabling courses :UWS bridging/enabling courses UniStep Program: Basic Algebra Basic Statistics Algebra and Trigonometry Maths Bridging for Engineers Advanced Algebra, Calculus & Statistics plus: Numeracy for Nurses workshops Combined presentation


Semester workshops :Semester workshops Based on specific units Students register on-line Challenge is to improve method for organising these


Online – ‘Improve Your Maths’ :Online – ‘Improve Your Maths’ Available to all UWS students Developed using Equity funding Modules - topics such as Algebra, decimals, confidence intervals, differentiation Self paced booklets, quizzes with fully worked solns further links


Collaboration with Lecturers :Collaboration with Lecturers Input into unit content eg Nursing drug calculations, diagnostic quiz Good working relationship with Maths school Learning & Teaching Projects eg Design of new unit ‘Mathematics Toolbox’


Maths/Stats support as part of a central unit - SLU :Maths/Stats support as part of a central unit - SLU Positive Independence of colleges Combined size Providing & promotion of bridging program Advertising services of the unit Profile of the unit On-line registration facilities Admin support


Maths/Stats support as part of a central unit - SLU :Maths/Stats support as part of a central unit - SLU Positive (ctd) Work as a team on Programs, such as Peer Mentoring/PASS Projects, Learning & Teaching Projects Research


Maths/Stats support as part of a central unit - SLU :Maths/Stats support as part of a central unit - SLU Challenges Different nature of student concerns Difficulty understanding how students arrive without presumed knowledge Conflicting expectations of size of a workshop group Collaboration opportunities differ


Maths/Stats support as part of a central unit - SLU :Maths/Stats support as part of a central unit - SLU Challenges (ctd) Ensuring the maths perspective is represented in SLU material and presentations Ensuring transfer of ideas between maths and literacy are appropriate Representation at higher university level includes maths/stats perspective