A Plan for Recruitment and Retention in Mathematics and Computer Science Dr. Lisa Lister and Dr. John Polhill Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania November 3, 2001

Recruitment: A three phase process

Phase 1: High School Contests

Math Contest Quiz Bowl Brainteasers Game of 24-points

Programming Contest 8-12 programs to be written in time allowed

Phase 2: Open House

Open House Campus Visits Area Visits

Phase 3: High School Visits

Campus High School Visits Tour of campus 3 presentations Lunch with majors and faculty

High School Lecture Series Professors visit local high schools Presentations: Math and Sports Cryptology Popular Mathematics Organizer: Dr. Kevin Ferland

Retention Project

Placement Testing Goals: Start kids in the right place Make transition to college easier Retain majors

Placement Testing Process: Dealing with affected departments Choosing an exam Making cutoffs Giving exam Dealing with the consequences

Self-Paced Precalculus An experiment- Comparing Styles –Lecture Format –Computer Based/Self-Paced Students “Randomly” Assigned Same textbook - Precalculus with Limits (Lial, Hornsby, Schneider)

Lecture Format 3 sections Fall section Spring 2001 Serves as Control

Computer-Based/Self-Paced Addison-Wesley - Coursecompass/MathXL Students work problems on the computer at their own pace Professor as guide Tests - software generated Fall sections, Spring section

Methods of Comparison Common Final to all Sections Student Satisfaction Survey % Retained Through Calculus Sequence % Retained in Major

Apparent Advantages/Disadvantages of the Computer-Based Course Advantages –Focus on trouble areas –Early completion –Better Students not Slowed by Others Disadvantages –Procrastinators at Major Risk –Outside Comfort Zone –Some Loss of Personal Touch?

First-Year Seminar Course for Math/CS Majors First Year Being Offered Aimed at Retention Get to Know Students Well Help! I am OVERWHELMED!!!

Content of Course Social Activities (Picnic, Day at the Bloomsburg Fair, trip to Washington D.C.) Exercises for Getting to Know University Exercises for Getting to Know Department Study and Survival Skills Mathematics Guest Speakers from Industry

Tutoring Mentoring Center Choosing Tutors Training Tutors Lab hours: 50+ hours a week

Group Advisement Sessions Where a typical student should be in their college career at this time Upper level and special topic courses offered Changes in curriculum General Education Suggestions

Social Activities Picnic for majors Brunch for graduating seniors Two clubs Planned trips Seminars

Contact Information Dr. John B. Polhill