Math-Retention Project at De Anza Community College Susan Dean Instructor Physical Sciences, Mathematics & Engineering Website:

The Math-Retention Project Used for Developmental Classes: Math 210 (pre-alg.), Math 112 (beg. Alg.) and Math 114 (int. alg.) Specialized program –MPS (Math Performance Success): We needed an MPS-like program for all our developmental students –Combines web-based math software that stresses homework mastery with a retention/success program

How Do We Use the Math Software (SW)? Total course –Visualizations for better understanding (Concepts) –Examples –Homework is done online (mastery) –Homework problems are adaptive –Quizzes/some tests done online –Management system tracks student’s progress –Instructor provided with a grade book –Mail system

How Do We Use the Math Software? (cont.) Class formats –5-days per week; 50 min. per class (40 size); lab 3 of the days –2-days per week; 70 min. per class (40 size); lab half time –4-days per week; 4 50 min. sessions in class; 4 50 min. lab sessions for the instructor, 2 for the student (large 80 size) –HYBRID: class meets once a week in lab for 70 min.

How Do We Use the Math Software? (cont.) Lecture vs. Lab –Less lecture and more lab: Bring up Concepts and Example features in the SW. –Lecture time: Often used to do worksheets that reinforce skills learned through online homework –Lab time: the bulk of the course. Students presented with one problem at a time (immediate feedback)

How Do We Use the Math Software? (cont.) Students Do the Work –Each class works from a syllabus easily created from a matrix. –Homework done in the class lab, in open lab and at home. –Dated assignments keep students on track. –Locked/unlocked and dated quizzes. –One problem at a time; forces students to slow down and pay attention to detail

Message Center

Syllabus for Intermediate Algebra

Assignment Problem

Concepts

Examples

Quizzes/Tests

Grapher

Grade Book

Class Administration

Syllabus Edit

College Student Survey (CSS) What is it? –Survey used to  increase student success  improve student retention  enhance advising Internet based or paper-and-pencil Mandatory: Students in the project must take the CSS

College Student Survey (cont.) When is it given? –Currently: In the lab during the 2 nd week of school –Can be taken on any computer with an Internet connection –Future: Before classes start each quarter

College Student Survey (cont.) Counselors –visit classes after CSS is given –bring personal reports for students to the lab; explain report; meet with willing students after the presentation – all students inviting them to visit the counselor –phone or at-risk students (indicated by the CSS) who did not respond to inviting them to meet individually with the counselor

College Student System (cont.) Counselors –make a follow-up visit to the classes the 8 th week –will meet to discuss and review practices in order to improve for next quarter and beyond

Student Satisfaction Survey Written and conducted by Andrew LaManque, De Anza Researcher June 2006 (See researchreports.php under the name Andrew La Manque) researchreports.php 85% more engaged using software (SW) 79% learned more math with SW 80% felt SW helped improve grade 86% would take another class with SW

Student Satisfaction Survey (cont.) 42% said they did better in the class after learning the results of the College Student Survey (CSS) 68% would recommend CSS to other students

Math Software Information 100% Java Code Requires Internet Connection Web Browser: Internet Explorer (version 5 and above), Mozilla Firefox, Netscape (version 6 and above) Platforms: Windows 98 second edition and above, Mac OS X 10.2 (Jaguar) and above Changes are being made for accessibility Guidebooks for each module