Mathematics Course Redesign at the University of Idaho

Why Did We Redesign? Increase Student Performance and Retention Increase Student Performance and Retention Save Classroom Space Save Classroom Space Lower costs Lower costs Our President Told Us That We Had To! Our President Told Us That We Had To!

Redesigned Courses Intermediate Algebra (3 credit hours) 1000 students per year 1000 students per year College Algebra (3 credit hours) 1500 students per year 1500 students per year

Traditional Format Prior To Redesign Lecture Format (40-45 students per section) Lecture Format (40-45 students per section) Classes met 3 days/week for 50 minutes Classes met 3 days/week for 50 minutes Traditional paper and pencil homework Traditional paper and pencil homework

Redesign Features

Redesign Features Students Attend Class Once/Week

Redesign Features Students Attend The Polya Lab 150 Min/Week

Redesign Features Students navigate through their e-book in MML and work through their notebooks (watch videos, write down definitions, etc) … And Receive Just-In-Time Assistance

Redesign Features Students May Attend Optional Live Lectures

THINGS WE QUICKLY LEARNED 1.Students Need Structure And Guidance - Focus Groups - Course Notebooks 2.Faculty/Graduate Students/Undergraduate Students Need Ongoing Training. 3. Freshman Dont Do Optional… …Neither Do Sophomores, Juniors or Seniors! …Neither Do Sophomores, Juniors or Seniors! 4.We MUST Stagger Deadlines 5. We Had To Find A Way To Reduce Lab-Time For Good Students.

THINGS WE QUICKLY LEARNED 1.Students Need Structure And Guidance - Focus Groups - Course Notebooks 2.Faculty/Graduate Students/Undergraduate Students Need Ongoing Training. 3. Freshman Dont Do Optional…Neither Do Sophomores, Juniors or Seniors! 4.We MUST Stagger Deadlines 5. We Had To Find A Way To Reduce Lab-Time For Good Students. 6. Do NOT Have Classes That Meet on Mondays! 7.Have homework due the day BEFORE the class meeting.

SNAP-SHOT OF OUR REDESIGN Students attend a 50 minute Focus Group each week Students attend a 50 minute Focus Group each week Students attend the Polya Mathematics Center 150 min/wk Students attend the Polya Mathematics Center 150 min/wk Students learn the material by reading their e-book, watching videos and animations and by taking notes in their course notebooks Students learn the material by reading their e-book, watching videos and animations and by taking notes in their course notebooks Students may also attend optional live lectures Students may also attend optional live lectures One MML HW assignment each week (up to 100 exercises) One MML HW assignment each week (up to 100 exercises) One MML Quiz each week (10 problems) One MML Quiz each week (10 problems) Quizzes can be taken up to 10 times 3-4 MML Exams 3-4 MML Exams Exams can be taken up to 3 times Common Final Exam (Paper and Pencil) Common Final Exam (Paper and Pencil)

OUTCOMES Although hours in the classroom has decreased for teachers, the number of student contact hours has increased! Although hours in the classroom has decreased for teachers, the number of student contact hours has increased! students finish the course early each semester students finish the course early each semester. Classroom space has decreased by 2/3. Classroom space has decreased by 2/3. Cost per student has decreased. Cost per student has decreased. The creation of a dual enrollment program. The creation of a dual enrollment program.

OUTCOMES

OUTCOMES STUDENTS WHO TRY A student who tries is a student who: A student who tries is a student who: Earns notebook quiz points each week Earns notebook quiz points each week Fulfills their lab time requirement each week Fulfills their lab time requirement each week Attempts all homework and quizzes Attempts all homework and quizzes Takes each test 3 times Takes each test 3 times Last Fall, 100% of students who tried earned an A, B, or C!

Thank You!