Technology enhanced student support in mathematics distance education Birgit Loch Department of Mathematics and Computing University of Southern Queensland Faculty of Engineering and Industrial Sciences Swinburne University of Technology

Open University, Leeds, 24 May 2010Overview USQ Context Pen-based technologies Communication Marking Screencasting

Open University, Leeds, 24 May 2010 The Australian continent

Open University, Leeds, 24 May 2010 USQ Context USQ - regional, multi-campus, 26,000 students Large distance student population - 75% of students studying off campus in over 70 countries (WEB, EXT, ONC) Large percentage of students mature age, work full- time, study part-time, live remotely, low socio- economic background. Incarcerated student. “Open” university. -> Tablet PCs

Open University, Leeds, 24 May 2010 Pen-based technology Tablet PCs Easiest to use Windows XP Tablet Edition (Vista, Windows 7) Additional ink functions in MS Office (XP) Handwriting recognition But: expensive

Open University, Leeds, 24 May 2010 Cheaper alternatives Graphics tablets Much cheaper! Various sizes

Open University, Leeds, 24 May 2010 Cheaper alternatives Digital note pens Just use a mouse?

Open University, Leeds, 24 May 2010 Electronic communication Ink chat tutorials MSN Messenger (Windows Live Messenger) Free!

Open University, Leeds, 24 May 2010 Example: Discrete Mathematics Birgit says: why does this work? because the y axis is where x = 0. so for x=0 we get y=m*0+c=c. so (0,c) is the point Birgit says: still following me? Student G says: trying... hang on with the "why does this work" Student G says: ahh ok, yes got you now Student D writes:

Open University, Leeds, 24 May 2010 Example: Operations Research Free! (vroom)

Open University, Leeds, 24 May 2010 Example: Algebra and Calculus

Open University, Leeds, 24 May 2010 Example: Algebra and Calculus

Open University, Leeds, 24 May 2010 Example: Foundation Computing

Open University, Leeds, 24 May 2010 Example: Foundation Computing

Open University, Leeds, 24 May 2010 Example: Foundation Computing

Open University, Leeds, 24 May 2010 Example: Foundation Computing

Open University, Leeds, 24 May 2010 Electronic marking Word DOC files PPT files XLS files PDF files Licences: MS Office PDF Annotator

Open University, Leeds, 24 May 2010 Electronic marking Word DOC files PPT files XLS files PDF files

Open University, Leeds, 24 May 2010 Electronic marking Word DOC files PPT files XLS files PDF files

Open University, Leeds, 24 May 2010 Biodiversity & Conservation: Andy Le Brocque

Open University, Leeds, 24 May 2010 Example: Operations Research Trevor Langlands/ Birgit Loch

Open University, Leeds, 24 May 2010 Capturing lectures/tutorials: Calculus

Open University, Leeds, 24 May 2010 Operations Research

Open University, Leeds, 24 May 2010 Thermodynamics: Andrew Wandell

Open University, Leeds, 24 May 2010 Finance: Peter Phillips

Open University, Leeds, 24 May 2010 German Language: Gabriela Pohl

Open University, Leeds, 24 May 2010 Recording lectures Web/iPod/iPhone video files

Open University, Leeds, 24 May 2010 Statistics: Christine McDonald

Open University, Leeds, 24 May 2010 Programming: Michael de Raadt

Open University, Leeds, 24 May 2010 Student support via screencasts Operations Research

Open University, Leeds, 24 May 2010 Enhancement of study material Screencasts to address stuck places Short snippets for course material Create a bank of resources Linda Galligan

Open University, Leeds, 24 May 2010 Screencast embedded in Nursing mathematics course material

Open University, Leeds, 24 May 2010 Screencast embedded in OR course material

Open University, Leeds, 24 May 2010 The Improving Mathematics Education in School (TIMES) Project AMSI (Australian Mathematical Sciences Institute)

Open University, Leeds, 24 May 2010 The Improving Mathematics Education in School (TIMES) Project AMSI (Australian Mathematical Sciences Institute)

Open University, Leeds, 24 May 2010 MSOR mini project Camilla Jordan, Cath Wilkins, Tim Lowe, Ben Mestel Screencasts for Masters level maths courses Best practice? Effectiveness?

Open University, Leeds, 24 May 2010 Recording of assignment feedback The Learning Centre. Linda Galligan