Faculty OBTL Sharing Session

Faculty OBTL Sharing SessionTue 29 Apr 2008 : 

Faculty OBTL Sharing SessionTue 29 Apr 2008 Department of Mathematics OBTL coordinators: K.M.Liu & C.O.Lo

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MA2176Basic Calculus and Linear Algebra Course coordinator: K.M.Liu Lecturers: K.M.Liu, C.W.Woo, P.K.Sun, C.O.Lo, K.C.Chim, C.M.Ma

Contents : 

Contents Introduction Challenges & Solutions Conclusions D. Comments by OBTL Consultant

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Introduction

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A foundation MA course for first year FSE students A prerequisite for higher level MA servicing courses Offered in both Sem A & B Other info (as in Sem A 07/08)

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Challenges & Solutions

2001 – 2007 Number of HKALE Candidates in Mathematics subjects : 

2001 – 2007 Number of HKALE Candidates in Mathematics subjects * A student may take either Maths & Stat or Pure Maths, but NOT both

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Only 40% of candidates took a maths subject in HKALE! % of candidates with a HKALE maths subject decreases A pass in a HKALE maths subject is NOT an admission requirement of some FSE programmes

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How to enhance teaching effectiveness of large classes? Assign students with similar mathematical background to the same lecture session

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Class A (for students with greatest background) *MA1002 & MA1004 are two foundation courses for foundation year students i) With HKAL Pure Maths/Applied Maths (Grade E or above) OR i) Mainland students without *MA1002 & *MA1004

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Classes B & C (for students with moderate background) ) With HKCE Additional Maths/HKAS Maths & Stat (Grade D or above) OR i) Associate degree OR ii) Higher certificate/diploma

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Classes D & E (for students with least background) ) With HKCE Maths only OR i) With HKCE Additional Maths/HKAS Maths & Stat (Grade E)

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How to develop mathematical skills of students? Classes B - E, P & Q benefit from additional class tuition

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Regular assignments for practice & tutorial discussion A reading project extends knowledge discussed in lectures Weekly extra tutorial for students wishing to strengthen mathematical background

Supporting Materials : 

Supporting Materials A ‘tailor-made’ textbook in 2007 Publisher: Pearson (Custom Publishing) Selling Price: $229 Discounted Price (15% off): $194.7

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More than 100 discipline-oriented applications are posted on MA2176 Blackboard

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Building & Construction

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Electronic Engineering

Supporting Service : 

Supporting Service Pre-calculus course To bridge gap between high school & university maths Math Help Centre To provide face-to-face consultation of study problems in MA courses A booking system is implemented to facilitate service arrangement

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How to design assessment activities? Assignments To provide substantial practice in new concepts & techniques Selected problems are discussed in tutorials Reading Project (5%) To extend materials covered in classes To develop skills of self-learning & independent inquiry

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Biweekly quizzes (25%) To monitor students’ progress throughout semester To assist lecturers/tutors in providing feedback to classes A regularly updated master excel file displays class scores & reflects class performance Average of each quiz 50 – 80 is desired

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End-of-semester examination (70%)

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C. Conclusions

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Classification of students with similar maths background enhances teaching & learning effectiveness Integration of web materials engages students in learning Regular assessment allows lecturers to monitor learning progress of classes Learning objectives & teaching expectations are more explicit within OBTL context

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D. Comments by OBTL Consultant

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An OBTL consultant was invited to visit MA in Nov 07 Dr David Easdown School of Mathematics and Statistics, University of Sydney

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Some comments by Dr Easdown ‘the standards (of teaching & learning) are very high relative to comparable courses that I am familiar with in Australia’ ‘the alignment between course aims & objectives, teaching & learning activities & assessments appears to be very good to excellent’ ‘the excellent case studies & reading project for MA2176, …, deserve to be mentioned & their role amplified, especially in the context of other disciplines & programs in which the mathematics is used ’

Thank you!! : 

Thank you!!