Seeking the views of the Mathematical Sciences Community Michael Grove 1 & Bill Cox 2 1 Maths, Stats & OR Network, School of Mathematics, University of Birmingham 2 Maths, Stats & OR Network, Aston University

Nature of this session Fully Interactive (with an overview of key activities and initiatives); Focus upon questions surrounding specific Network activities; Consultation to identify future Network plans and priorities.

Update on MSS013 Accreditation by HE Academy as part of University of Birmingham provision in April 2007 (20 M-level credits); No participants for full module in 2007; Considerable difficulty in encouraging other HEIs to adopt module (but interest is shown!).

Update on progress Substantial development of supporting materials including examples of sample ‘evidence’ (Consultant employed to work on this); Currently developing a flexible assessment structure.

Transferability between HEIs How can this provision be accessed by staff from other HEIs? –Registration as a University of Birmingham part-time student to access the full 20-credit module; –Attendance at Induction Course and follow-up day and engagement with follow-up exercises to claim APL; –Attendance at Induction Course and follow-up day; –Embedding of Network provision within other HEI CPD programmes.

Some questions What types of training activity do you feel your new staff need? How should this be delivered? And how should it be assessed? How can we, as a community, encourage the wider uptake of this module?

Moving the activities of the Network forward Review of the Higher Education Academy by Oakleigh Consulting (January 2008): ‘…the academy had a positive impact, including on individual and departmental teaching practice. The sector values the HEA's network of 24 subject centres, set up to support teaching and learning in different disciplines…’ TES Online, 7 February 2008

And moving beyond the school- university transition Issues at the ‘transition’ to university entry... –Well documented (Savage & Hawkes) (2000); –The Network identified this as a priority-area for activity and developed many resources; But… –Numerous projects have produced resources which enable willing students to ‘bridge the gap’; –Mathematics support is widely established; Although… –There is evidence of an emerging ‘mechanics problem’; –There is evidence that existing resources are not as user-friendly for students with additional needs as they perhaps might be.

Moving Beyond the Transition –‘…for many of those staying [on the course] attainment was average and below, the problems of coping with the work were accompanied by growing disillusionment with mathematics; generally, although with some exceptions, students enjoyment of the subject declined over time.’ (Brown et al. 2002) –‘such students became mildly depressed in the second year and seemed to lack immediate sources of support and the motivation to seek these out.’ (Brown et al. 2002) –‘It is difficult to know what more the university could do to support these struggling students especially as they tend to withdraw when faced with lack of success and many find it difficult to talk openly and honestly about their situation. However, faced with widening participation, universities need to put in place increased support structures to encourage struggling [second year] students to seek help before it is too late’. Macrae et al (2003)

Ideas for consideration Preliminary ideas for Network activity in 2008/2009 include: –A survey of staff and students (possibly further exploring issues raised in the NSS); –Short (2hour) departmental seminars exploring teaching & learning issues; –A conference for postgraduate students exploring: Teaching & learning issues; Preparation for employment or an academic career; Writing papers. –A workshop for External Examiners with the aim of producing a guide giving a ‘snapshot of university mathematics’ in relation to teaching, learning & assessment.

Two final questions What issues are facing your department in relation to teaching, learning and assessment? What three things could/should the Network do to better support you and your colleagues?

Contact us We Welcome Your Views Contact Details Bill Cox Michael Grove