1. The challenges and benefits of using technology in Mathematics Support Dr. Ciar á n Mac an Bhaird NUI Maynooth. 4 th Irish Workshop of Mathematics Learning and Support Centres. December 2009 DCU

2. Overview Use technology to provide extra resources and opportunities for at-risk students. Use technology to provide extra resources and opportunities for at-risk students. Advantages: re-usable learning objects, students respond to perceived extra effort, 24 hour access for students, other learning benefits for students, encourages collaboration. Advantages: re-usable learning objects, students respond to perceived extra effort, 24 hour access for students, other learning benefits for students, encourages collaboration. Disadvantages: software and hardware issues, internet access for students, impersonal, expensive costs? Disadvantages: software and hardware issues, internet access for students, impersonal, expensive costs?

3. Online Courses Students who fail Mathematics Proficiency Test are enrolled on the Mathematics Proficiency Course: https://moodle.nuim.ie/2010/ Students who fail Mathematics Proficiency Test are enrolled on the Mathematics Proficiency Course: https://moodle.nuim.ie/2010/ https://moodle.nuim.ie/2010/ There is an additional Mathematics Foundation Course principally for non- Mathematics Students who are struggling with the mathematical aspects of their courses. There is an additional Mathematics Foundation Course principally for non- Mathematics Students who are struggling with the mathematical aspects of their courses.

4. Easy to analyse records, the course is very easy to edit and maintain. Gives students organised access to material which otherwise would seem overwhelming and intimidating. Easy to analyse records, the course is very easy to edit and maintain. Gives students organised access to material which otherwise would seem overwhelming and intimidating. Difficulties maintaining high level of participation, students do not always see the relevance to their actual Mathematics modules. Technical difficulties, e.g. being able to view the videos etc. Courses are faceless, impersonal etc. Difficulties maintaining high level of participation, students do not always see the relevance to their actual Mathematics modules. Technical difficulties, e.g. being able to view the videos etc. Courses are faceless, impersonal etc.

5. Workshops Follow up workshops each week for students struggling with course material. Follow up workshops each week for students struggling with course material. Students email tutor requesting issues to be dealt with. Students email tutor requesting issues to be dealt with. Tutor uses Sympodium to present the material. Students can sit and listen to the tutor, ask questions without having to take extensive notes. Tutor uses Sympodium to present the material. Students can sit and listen to the tutor, ask questions without having to take extensive notes. Notes posted onto the moodle site for students to access. Notes posted onto the moodle site for students to access.

6. Students highlight the benefits of this approach, report an increased understanding of the material because they can listen. They highlight that they can take notes of what the tutor is saying, questions that other students ask etc. Students highlight the benefits of this approach, report an increased understanding of the material because they can listen. They highlight that they can take notes of what the tutor is saying, questions that other students ask etc. Others report that the handwritten notes are easy to understand, less impersonal than typed notes and the diagrams are easier to follow as they can see how they were produced. Others report that the handwritten notes are easy to understand, less impersonal than typed notes and the diagrams are easier to follow as they can see how they were produced.

7. This technology is also used in the First Science Mathematics Workshop. This technology is also used in the First Science Mathematics Workshop. This course is specifically designed to be student directed and is principally aimed at the weaker students. This course is specifically designed to be student directed and is principally aimed at the weaker students. The tutor presents issues raised by the students which are usually basic issues to do with their course material. The tutor presents issues raised by the students which are usually basic issues to do with their course material. Examples Conference\Workshop4SciLimits.pdf Examples Conference\Workshop4SciLimits.pdfConference\Workshop4SciLimits.pdf Conference\Proficiency5.pdf Main disadvantage is the initial cost of the unit, around 2000, but now being introduced to most theatres. Main disadvantage is the initial cost of the unit, around 2000, but now being introduced to most theatres.

8. Other projects Recording of screencasts and podcasts. Recording of screencasts and podcasts. The main purpose is to provide extra resources for students. The main purpose is to provide extra resources for students. Advantages: Re-usable Learning Objects, students can have open access to material, more friendly medium, relatively easy to use the software, relatively cheap. Advantages: Re-usable Learning Objects, students can have open access to material, more friendly medium, relatively easy to use the software, relatively cheap. Disadvantages: Extremely time-consuming to create, students can have technical issues viewing the objects. Disadvantages: Extremely time-consuming to create, students can have technical issues viewing the objects.

9. Examples Screencast Screencast Conference\calculus2(3).wmv Podcast Podcast Conference\8.6.mp3 Go raibh maith agaibh uilig. Go raibh maith agaibh uilig.