Methods used to measure the impact and effectiveness of the mathematics support provided

by the UCD Mathematics Support Centre.

Origins MSC

• In 2003 the Department of Mathematics secured HEA funding. Opened Feb 04 and a manager was appointed.

• UCD has funded MSC since 2007

Aims of the MSC The Mathematics Support Centre (MSC) in UCD aims :

• To provide Mathematics support for students in a friendly, relaxed and informal atmosphere.

• To enable students to build confidence in their own mathematical ability.

• To provide targeted mathematics support for Access and Level One students

• To increase the effectiveness of the MSC by evaluating the MSC’s activities and by liaising with other maths support groups

Services provided

• Dedicated drop-in centre staffed by friendly and supportive tutors.

• One-to-one tuition or group-tuition as required.• Supervised study.• Hot Topic tutorials.• Relevant textbooks and handouts.• Web-based learning materials.• Directed link on Blackboard to the MSC.• Practise sheets covering problem areas for Access and Level One students.

Opening Hours

• 22 hours per week. Does not open on Fridays

Figure 3. Level of students attending MSC 2008

4%

60%

28%

5%

1%

2%

AccessFirst LevelSecond LevelThird LevelFourth LevelPost-graduate

Outcomes sought• UCD was supporting the MSC for the first time. If the

MSC was to be secure we needed to ensure that the funding was on-going so it was necessary to

• Increase the numbers attending

• Demonstrate a more efficient use of Budget

• Give students the opportunity to evaluate the work of the MSC and give feedback for further development

• Increase the profile of the MSC across the university.

Increasing numbers• Addressed Level One students• Altered opening hours to allow students with

busy schedules to attend• Upgraded the website • Promoted the MSC by Posters and website• Received support from lecturers who

recommended to their students to attend the MSC

• Organised Hot Topic Sessions

Which methods were affective

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60% Lectures

Recommendation of afriendBlackboard

Plasma screen

Blackboard, Notices&Flyers

How were the numbers measured?

• Each student filled out a form giving the following information

• Name• Date • Time in time out• Topic covered and• Module being studied

Weekly AttendanceFigure 2. Weekly attendance 2007/2008

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40

60

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120

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30

Week number

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mb

er o

f v

isits

Numbers attending over 4 years

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200

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600

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1600

2004/2005 2005/2006 2006/2007 2007/2008

Budget Planning

• Finances were carefully planned and monitored using spreadsheeets

• Since student attendance could be computerised, tutoring hours were adjusted to make more effective use of budget.

• Where a demand was indicated special Hot Topics were organised.

• Budget Sheets were updated monthly and any shortfalls adjusted

Budget

• More effective use of budget was demonstrated by reduced costs per hour

Student Evaluation• Evaluation forms were only filled by those

who had attended• Emailed out to students or available in the

MSC• Return Rate was 29%• Additional information was offered by 95%

of respondents

Why respondents first decided to use the MSC

otherTutorialillness

specific area

sometime

Background

0%

5%

10%

15%

20%

25%

30%

35%

40%

45%

Students Opinions

• Respondents were asked for their opinions on various aspects of the MSC using a five point Likert item.

Students opinions of the MSCDid the MSC

• Have a welcoming atmosphere?• Have suitable opening hours?• Encourage students to work with other

students in their class?• Provide a relaxed place to study?

The MSC has a welcoming atmosphere

• 99% of students agreed with this statement

• “Very welcoming atmosphere. Tutors who are patient and let you work at your own pace”

The MSC encourages teamwork

0%5%

10%15%20%25%30%35%

S/Agree

Agree

Neither

Disagree

S/Disagree

No entry

Relaxed place to study

• 88% stated that they found the MSC a relaxed place to study.

• “ I thought it was a very positive experience.Staff were very approachable with a relaxed atmosphere to learn and ask questions in”

Suitable opening hours

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

S/agree Neither S/disagree

Students opinions of the MSC Staff

• Are they friendly and approachable?• Have they good teaching abilities?• Have they a good knowledge of mathematics?• Do they help you to cope better?• Do they motivate you to study?

Staff are friendly and approachable

• 99% agreed with this.

• “It has helped me a lot in my first year of maths. They are very friendly and welcoming making it easier to come down and ask for help”

The staff have good teaching abilities

• 100% agreed with this.

• “Great really easy to understand difficult concepts”

• 97% agreed that staff have a good knowledge of maths.

The staff help you to cope better

0%10%20%30%40%50%60%70%80%

S/agree Agree Neither

Quote from one student among many

• “To put it simply I would have failed both maths modules I have taken this year. It has put my mind at ease and I have already got a “B” in my first semester maths, I would have failed if not for the MSC. Thank you so much.”

The MSC staff motivate you to study

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

S/agree Agree Neither Disgree No entry

Motivated me to study

• “Very helpful and made me realise I need to start studying maths, particularly where I am weak”

Passed Module

• 92% pass rate

To increase the profi le of the MSC

• Orientation: Mature students, Foreign students, New Era students, Disability,Commerce, Science mentoring group,Medicine, Agricultural students

• Personal Contact with lecturers in various Programmes throughout UCD

• Annual Report widely distributed• Student Advisors• Vice Presidents and heads of departments• Career Guidance Counsellors

Conclusions• Attendance recorded and more than doubled.• MSC was kept within budget and increased

efficiency demonstrated• The quality of Service was formally evaluated with

very positive results• Students show a very high level of satisfaction with

services provided• Profile of the MSC has been increased across the

college