1. Multiple Angles for Marketing a Math Lab
John T. Holm
Wright State University
Math Labs: Where Students Count Conference
Bowling Green State University
October 15, 2005
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2. Overview of Mathematics Learning Center
Founded in 2000
Uses peer-tutoring format
Operates on free walk-in basis
Staff
Full-time director
Part-time student-employees (~ 20)
Housed in Student Academic Success Center
Mathematics Learning Center
Writing Center
Tutoring Services
Developmental Education
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3. Initiatives to raise awareness of the Center and to motivate students to seek assistance there
Newspaper ads
Academic advising
Syllabi
Incentives for students
Faculty communications
Outstanding service
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4. The Center places advertisements in The Guardian, the university’s student-run newspaper.
Got math help?
Light up your math scores!
Sharpen your math skills!
“What another math test?”
See you this summer!
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5. Academic advisors encourage students to use the services of the Mathematics Learning Center.
Over 90 percent of first-year students attend Summer On-Campus Advising and Registration (SOAR), an orientation program that includes a presentation on academic-support units.
First-year students in University College must obtain advisor approval before registration.
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6. Students can find information about the Mathematics Learning Center on course syllabi.
Many of the supported courses use departmental syllabi that list the Center’s location and hours.
Faculty who develop syllabi or Web sites are encouraged to include a section on the Center.
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7. The Center provides incentives for students to visit.
Some instructors allow students to go to the Center to make up points missed on a quiz.
The staff has access to instructor solutions manuals and will check even-numbered problems attempted by students.
While working in the room, students may borrow from the Center’s collection of scientific and graphing calculators.
Students may refer to and check out books from the Center’s library.
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8. Incentives (continued)
The Center has seven computers connected to the campus network.
Web-based homework: math.webwork.rochester.edu
Web-based quizzes: iLrn.com
Web-based math utilities: QuickMath.com (below)
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9. The director communicates frequently with course coordinators and instructors.
updates are sent prior to the beginning of each term.
Early in the term, the director arranges to visit covered classes, distributing bookmarks (below) and giving a brief informational talk.
Instructors hold some of their office hours in the Center.
The director solicits recommendations for potential tutors from faculty.
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10. The staff strives to deliver outstanding service to generate goodwill and positive word of mouth.
A staff member checks with each arriving student.
Tutors adapt their approach to the mathematical level of each student and to the corresponding course objectives.
Finding solutions of a quadratic equation
By factoring
By completing the square
By using the quadratic formula
Finding extreme values of a function
In college algebra
In calculus
The Center collaborates with other units to coordinate assistance.
Computational Proficiency Exam for elementary education majors
Diagnostic Test for Calculus I students
The Center remains open during Summer Quarter.
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11. Assessment of marketing efforts
Sign-in distribution by course
Survey of students who used the Center at least once during term
Did you receive prompt attention?
Did the tutors demonstrate a good understanding of the subject matter?
Did the tutors communicate well?
Did your experience in the Center enhance your learning of mathematics?
Did your experience in the Center improve your performance in the course?
Did your experience in the Center increase your confidence in your math skills?
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12. Assessment (continued)
Survey of students who did not make use of the Center
“I did not have time to get help.”
“I received help from someone else.”
“My instructor provided all the help I needed.”
“I did not need help outside of class.”
“The hours were not convenient.”
“I did not know about it.”
“The location was not convenient.”
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13. Contact information
John T. Holm
Director, Mathematics Learning Center
Wright State University
3640 Col. Glenn Highway
Dayton, Ohio 45435
john.holm{at}wright.edu
(937)
12/7/2018