In 2008-2009 our projects were concentrated in two areas.
The first area, soon to be completed after final observations, is computing and computer labs in Math 152, Math 256 (Mech 221), Math 257/316, Math 253 (Mech 222), and Math 307. These courses have all recently introduced computing as an intrinsic part of the course. The Math CWSEI helped in the creation of tutorials and lab materials, assisted in integrating the computational component into the course material and developing testing methods, and assessed the effectiveness of the computational component.
The second area, also in its final year of observations, is support for the Math 180/184 workshops and the Basic Skills Test. The Math CWSEI helped to assess the effectiveness of the problem-solving workshops and assisted in the study of how well the Basic Skills Test predicts success in a first-year Calculus course. The Basic Skills Test is under further review and will hopefully evolve as part of a more comprehensive incoming assessment strategy.
Poster (April 2009): The Basic Skills Test in Mathematics
In 2009-2010 our focus was mainly in-depth assessment of student activities and engagement, improvements to course materials based on data collected in the previous year, and better coordination of workshops and labs with course lectures.
Development for work on Math 220, a course dedicated to proof skills, began in early 2010. Study and transformation of this course will be a multi-year project with tracking of skills to later courses.
In addition to the existing projects, the Math CWSEI also helped in developing and implementing assessment strategies to measure students' attitudes toward computer labs in Math 102 and Math 103, as well as the effectiveness of a new online homework system in use in a number of first year Calculus courses. The Math CWSEI also provided resources to help with the course transformation in Math 318.
