Northampton Electronic Collection of Theses and Research

Pilot online mathematics tutorials - you can take a horse to water...

Rice, P. and O'Hare, D. (2012) Pilot online mathematics tutorials - you can take a horse to water... MSOR Connections. 12(2), pp. 20-21. 1473-4869.

Item Type: Article
Abstract: Introduction This pilot project examined the provision of flexible support to University of Northampton (UoN) students who are unable to access mathematics and statistics support, due to individual time and distance barriers. Our study was initially only concerned with engineering students, but was subsequently opened to all students. With the increase in widening participation, distance learners and part-time students entering higher education, the demand for mathematics support has grown (Davies and Elias, 2002). The need for mathematics support also exists for traditional students, as good school grades can no longer guarantee a smooth transition to engineering courses (Croft and Grove, 2006). Currently at UoN, we provide any student on any course the opportunity to access one to one tuition in any mathematics and statistics-related query. This is done through drop-in sessions which take place throughout the week on campus. What happens to those students who are unable to attend the drop-in sessions? Following discussions with sigma and their subsequent funding of the project it was decided that the best way to support students who could not attend drop-in sessions was to provide an online one to one tutorial via video conferencing. Masouros and Alpay (2010) assert that this is a key attribute in providing an effective online learning resource. This pilot intended to examine the effectiveness and uptake of providing this support, the benefits to both students and staff as well as identifying any barriers.
Uncontrolled Keywords: Mathematics, statistics, support
Subjects: Q Science > QA Mathematics > QA11 Study and teaching. Research
L Education > LB Theory and practice of education > LB2300 Higher Education
Creators: Rice, Paul and O'Hare, David
Funders or Sponsors: Sigma
Publisher: The Higher Education Academy
Faculties, Divisions and Institutes: University Faculties, Divisions and Research Centres - OLD > University Departments > Library and Learning Services
Date: 2012
Date Type: Publication
Page Range: pp. 20-21
Journal or Publication Title: MSOR Connections
Volume: 12
Number: 2
Language: English
ISSN: 1473-4869
Status: Published / Disseminated
Refereed: No
Related URLs:
URI: http://nectar.northampton.ac.uk/id/eprint/4468

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