teaching mathematics and statistics for business students: challenges and experiences in a german...

Teaching mathematics and statistics to business students: Challenges and experiences in a German

University of Applied Sciences

Teresa MeloSaarland University of Applied Sciences

Business SchoolInstitute for Supply Chain and Operations Management (ISCOM)

Saarbrücken, Germany

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German Higher Education System

Saarland University of Applied Sciences (htw saar)

Business School

- Degree programmes

- Teaching challenges

- Learning problems

- Supporting activities in maths & statistics

Outlook

Outline

MetaMath/MathGeAr Workshop, 11 Sept. 2014

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German Higher Education System


2.5 Mio. students (2013) 47.6% female, 52.4% male

61% public higher education institutions, 39% private Responsibility for education federal states Common basic principles, different organisation (e.g. tuition fees charged in

Lower Saxony)

UniversitiesUniversities of Applied Sciences

Colleges of Art / Music

392

30.9% 54.8% 14.3%

German Rector‘s Conference, www.hrk.de

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Role of Higher Education Institutions


Access to higher education: 12/13 years of schooling‘Abitur’ or ‘Fachabitur’ certification

Universities

Universities of Applied Sciences

Colleges of Art / Music

Wide range of academic disciplines Theoretical and research-oriented studies

Application-oriented studies and research Studies integrated in industry, companies

Studies in fine arts, performing arts and music

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Degrees at German Universities


9,204 undergraduate degree programmes 6,940 postgraduate degree programmes Bologna Process (European Union):

- Bachelor’s degree, 3 - 4 years- Master’s degree, 1 - 2 years

Degree programmeInstitution Bachelor Master Doctoral

Universities

Universities of Applied Sciences

(in cooperation

with a university)Colleges of Art / Music

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Saarland University of Applied Sciences I


History

1807 École pratique des mines (mining school)

1971 School of Engineering + Business School (Fachhochschule)

1991 Saarland University of Applied Sciences (Hochschule für Technik und Wirtschaft des Saarlandes)

Current figures

~5,700 students (37% female) ~120 professors 5 campuses 4 faculties

School of Engineering

School of Social Sciences

Business School

School of Architecture and Civil Engineering

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Saarland University of Applied Sciences II


Practical experience through mandatory practical work in all degreeprogrammes

Intensive cooperation with companies: internships, invited lectures by CEOs, exkursions, research partnerships

Cooperation (teaching & research) with more than 50 universities abroad:Bulgaria, Denmark, Finland, France, Georgia, Iceland, Japan, Latvia, Luxemburg, Mexico, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Rumania, Spain, Switzerland, UK, USA, …

Member of the European University Association (EUA) Top position in R&D among the German Universities of

Applied Sciences (DFG statistics)

School of Engineering School of Social Sciences

Business SchoolSchool of Architecture and Civil Engineering

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Business School


Students > 2,200Professors 45Assistant lecturers 22Admin. staff 17Invited lecturers (industry, etc.) > 80

Some impressions of Campus Rotenbühl

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Business School – Degree Programmes


Bachelor programmes Master programmes

Aviation Business and Piloting*

Business Administration* Marketing Science Accounting and FinanceSupply Chain Management

International Business Administration International Management

International Tourism Management Leisure, Sports and TourismCultural Management

Industrial Engineering* Industrial Engineering DFHI Programmes**: Business Administration, Logistics

DFHI-Programme Management Sciences**

**) Franco-German Institute of Higher Education: Joint degree programmes in cooperation with University of Lorraine, Metz (F)

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Business School – Maths & Statistics


3 professors, 4 assistant lecturers

Scope of courses dependent on degree programme, e.g.- Business Administration (Bachelor): 3 courses, 15 ECTS- International Business Administration (Bachelor): 2 courses, 10 ECTS- Industrial Engineering (Bachelor): 4 courses, 15 + 2.5 ECTS

European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System: 1 ECTS = 28 h

Mathematics Statistics Quantitative Methodscalculus descriptive stat operations researchalgebra probability theory logistics

geometry inference stat marketing & accounting

financial maths multivariate stat simulationsoftware (computer algebra system, excel, SPSS, …)

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Challenges Posed by Business Students


Low motivation to learn maths Low/medium achievement at high school Understanding: Mathematics = Arithmetic No deep understanding of basic concepts Generation Y (70’s – mid-90’s) and Generation Z (>mid-90’s):

use of communication and media technology- Internet, smartphones, instant

messaging, MP3 players, social media (facebook, etc.), …

- Response to loud and quick visuals, audio, and music

- Short attention span and lack of concentration and application

- Instant gratification- Easily frustrated

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Learning Problems I


Learned Helplessness a student who experiences continuous failure in math expects to fail

Passive Learner student does not actively make connections between what he/she already knows and what he/she is presently learning

Memory Problems `information storage problem’ Attention Problems important pieces of information are often missed

during teaching Cognitive/Metacognitive Thinking Deficits students lack the ability to

monitor learning:- Evaluating whether they are learning- Employing strategies when needed- Knowing whether a strategy is successful- Making changes when needed

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Learning Problems II


Low Level of Academic Achievement lack of basic math skills Math Anxiety ‘math time’ is often an anxiety-ridden experience

What is the solution to these problems? Increase motivation, decrease frustration Provide success Realise the need for mathematical thinking

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Teaching Maths & Stat at the Business School


Small groups (< 40 students) Lectures

- Combination of traditional channels with new technology- Applications, case studies & assignments

Tutorials (some in addition to course schedule) Weekly exercise sheets (without solutions), newsletters (with solutions) Mock examinations assess learning progress Revision courses (‘Repetitorium’) every semester Courses in German, some in English Library, large choice of e-books

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Using Technology


e-Learning platform: CLIX

Virtual classrooms (part-time study programmes) Session recording (lectures) Software tools for applications (CAS, excel, SPSS, …)

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Additional Support I


Maths Café- 2 sessions every week (2 x 4 h)- supervision by tutors (students) and 1 assistant lecturer- informal atmosphere

Long Night of Mathematics / Long Night of Statistics- every semester (Fridays, after 6 pm)- supervision by tutors, assistant lecturers, professors- Additional exercises

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Additional Support II


Preparatory courses 4 weeks (> 700 students in 2013) ‘refresh’ basic maths concepts close ‘gaps’ groups built depending on level (based on initial test) course contents aligned with degree programmes courses given by maths students (Saarland University) interactive web-based e-learning MathCoach

high school htw saar

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Cooperation with High Schools


Project Mathe-MAX Annual conference with high schools in Saarland (2013, 2014) Preparatory meetings (working group) Goal: identification of minimum skills in maths required for higher education

Further training for academic staff at htw saar mathematics (in cooperation with prof. A. Lambert, Saarland University) seminars, workshops on teaching

high school htw saar

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Outlook


Strong commitment to support students Gradual assessment of supporting activities Development & implementation of additional activities,

e.g. continuous assessment Long road ahead …

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Thank you for your attention!

contact: [email protected]