Introducing the UQ2U ProgramThe UQ2U program at The University of Queensland (UQ) was rolled out in 2018 with the aim of redeveloping and transforming UQ courses to deliver greater flexibility and high value on-campus learning experiences. In the first phase, several strategically significant UQ courses including Calculus and Linear Algebra I (MATH1051) were selected for the program. MATH1051 is strategically significant for the following reasons:
Many students do not take the course by choice (the course is a compulsory requirement in engineering, for example). Motivation and engagement are big issues, with the result that the course has a high failure rate ranging from 20% to 30% each semester. MATH1051 Course StructureIn the traditional setting, MATH1051 students attend 3 face-to-face lectures, 1 1-hour tutorial and 1 1-hour Matlab practical class each week. During lectures, students fill in the course workbook while examples are being explained by the lecturer. Lectures are live streamed, with recordings available to students a couple of hours after the lecture. Assessment activities (typically short quizzes) are conducted during tutorials, after which students are able to receive help with problem sets. Due to the limited time remaining after the assessment activities, the tutorials tend to be tutor centred with little time for peer interaction and collaboration. UQ2U MATH1051 was implemented in Semester 1, 2019. Students now have the option of viewing the online lectures (via the edge.edx platform) or attending face-to-face lectures. Both the face-toface lectures and online lectures cover the same content from the course workbook. The online lectures give students the flexibility to learn at their own pace anytime and anywhere. Students attend one 2-hour workshop each week. During the workshop, students complete assessment activities (either a quiz or a collaborative exercise) and get help with problem sets and assignments. The additional hour gives students the opportunity to collaborate, discuss and work on problems with their peers. The workshops are conducted in collaborative spaces equipped with round tables with 6-8 seats per table. Students also attend the 1-hour Matlab practical sessions as per the traditional structure. Online LecturesThe online lectures are delivered via the edge.edx platform and organised in modules. Each module consists of a video, several quizzes testing the video content and if applicable, an interactive animation. Students begin by viewing a video, filling in the workbook as they would in a face-to-face lecture. They then complete the quizzes following the video. Interactive animations are also available to assist students with learning key concepts. The edge.edx resources have been immensely popular not only with students who opted for online lectures but also with students who attend face-to-face lectures. The latter have used the resources in a variety of ways:
Student FeedbackIn a survey on edge.edx, students were asked the following open-ended questions:
Responding to how edge.edx had help with their learning, students made the following comments: Much easier to navigate than lecture recordings. Responding with how edge.edx can be improved, students commented: Want more challenging questions WorkshopsThe workshops were the most successful aspect of UQ2U MATH1051. All workshops were held in collaborative spaces with round tables (6-8 seats per table). Workshop size ranges from 40 to 70; the student-tutor ratio was 20:1. 1 st hour:
2 nd hour:
Workshop attendance was strong throughout the semester, with an average attendance rate of 80%. In a survey conducted in Week 3 of the semester, students were asked to give their impressions of the workshop format. Positive student responses included: Relaxed atmosphere Negative student responses included: Noisy Not all tutors were on board with the workshop format which required team teaching. Tutors reported a lack of rapport due to large class size. At the start of the semester, a number of the more experienced tutors felt that new tutors were not given opportunity to practise teaching skills as the workshop format did not encourage lengthy explanation at the board. However, as the semester progressed and tutors were more accustomed to the new format, the same tutors reported a heightened level of engagement amongst students during the workshops. Early Reflections of Blended LearningUQ2U MATH1051 was a considerable investment of time and money. While there was no significant improvement in the pass rate and course rating in Semester 1, 2019, student feedback on the workshops and edge.edx has been overwhelmingly positive. On a personal note, having been involved with this course since 2012, I have witnessed a heightened level of engagement amongst students. Dropping in on several tutorials, I definitely felt a buzz walking into these workshops. Students were talking about maths, working on maths, asking questions and discussing problems. We have learned many valuable lessons along the way. The first is to go easy with flipping lectures. Early attempts at a complete flip were not successful and in fact left students overwhelmed and unsettled. In subsequent weeks, we went with a softer flip, i.e. traditional lectures with occasional flips on selected sections of the course. Other important lessons include:
We look forward to improving the blended learning experience for our students in the coming semester!
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February 2023
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Recordings of sessions
Thursday - welcome
We are pleased to announce that the theme of this year's FYiM workshop to be held in Brisbane is
Celebrating 10 years of First Year in Maths!
Our first forum was in 2013 at The University of Melbourne. Let's look back on 10 years of talking about teaching maths and statistics at the first-year level. What is still relevant? What has changed? What new challenges lie ahead?
Here is the programme.
Details of the workshop are:
When: Thursday 6 July and Friday 7 July - 10 am to 5 pm
Where: The University of Queensland, St Lucia campus and via Zoom
Cost: FREE! Morning tea, lunch and afternoon tea will be provided thanks to UQ's School of Maths and Physics. You are welcome to join us for dinner (at own cost) on Thursday night at a local/CBD restaurant.
We look forward to seeing you in sunny Brisbane!
Deb, Don and Michael
FYiMaths National Steering Committee
Thursday - welcome
We are pleased to announce that the theme of this year's FYiM workshop to be held in Brisbane is
Celebrating 10 years of First Year in Maths!
Our first forum was in 2013 at The University of Melbourne. Let's look back on 10 years of talking about teaching maths and statistics at the first-year level. What is still relevant? What has changed? What new challenges lie ahead?
Here is the programme.
Details of the workshop are:
When: Thursday 6 July and Friday 7 July - 10 am to 5 pm
Where: The University of Queensland, St Lucia campus and via Zoom
Cost: FREE! Morning tea, lunch and afternoon tea will be provided thanks to UQ's School of Maths and Physics. You are welcome to join us for dinner (at own cost) on Thursday night at a local/CBD restaurant.
We look forward to seeing you in sunny Brisbane!
Deb, Don and Michael
FYiMaths National Steering Committee
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