Multiple Angles for Marketing a Math Lab John T. Holm Wright State University Math Labs: Where Students Count Conference Bowling Green State University October 15, 2005 1
Overview of Mathematics Learning Center Founded in 2000 Uses peer-tutoring format Operates on free walk-in basis Staff Full-time director Part-time student-employees (~ 20) Housed in Student Academic Success Center Mathematics Learning Center Writing Center Tutoring Services Developmental Education 2
Initiatives to raise awareness of the Center and to motivate students to seek assistance there Newspaper ads Academic advising Syllabi Incentives for students Faculty communications Outstanding service 3
The Center places advertisements in The Guardian, the university s s student-run newspaper. Got math help? Light up your math scores! Sharpen your math skills! What... another math test? See you this summer! 4
Academic advisors encourage students to use the services of the Mathematics Learning Center. Over 90 percent of first-year students attend Summer On-Campus Advising and Registration (SOAR), an orientation program that includes a presentation on academic-support units. First-year students in University College must obtain advisor approval before registration. 5
Students can find information about the Mathematics Learning Center on course syllabi. Many of the supported courses use departmental syllabi that list the Center s location and hours. Faculty who develop syllabi or Web sites are encouraged to include a section on the Center. 6
The Center provides incentives for students to visit. Some instructors allow students to go to the Center to make up points missed on a quiz. The staff has access to instructor solutions manuals and will check even-numbered problems attempted by students. While working in the room, students may borrow from the Center s collection of scientific and graphing calculators. Students may refer to and check out books from the Center s library. 7
Incentives (continued) The Center has seven computers connected to the campus network. Web-based homework: math.webwork.rochester.edu Web-based quizzes: ilrn.com Web-based math utilities: QuickMath.com (below) 8
The director communicates frequently with course coordinators and instructors. Email updates are sent prior to the beginning of each term. Early in the term, the director arranges to visit covered classes, distributing bookmarks (below) and giving a brief informational talk. Instructors hold some of their office hours in the Center. The director solicits recommendations for potential tutors from faculty. 9
The staff strives to deliver outstanding service to generate goodwill and positive word of mouth. A staff member checks with each arriving student. Tutors adapt their approach to the mathematical level of each student and to the corresponding course objectives. Finding solutions of a quadratic equation By factoring By completing the square By using the quadratic formula Finding extreme values of a function In college algebra In calculus The Center collaborates with other units to coordinate assistance. Computational Proficiency Exam for elementary education majors Diagnostic Test for Calculus I students The Center remains open during Summer Quarter. 10
Assessment of marketing efforts Sign-in distribution by course Survey of students who used the Center at least once during term Did you receive prompt attention? Did the tutors demonstrate a good understanding of the subject matter? Did the tutors communicate well? Did your experience in the Center enhance your learning of mathematics? Did your experience in the Center improve your performance in the course? Did your experience in the Center increase your confidence in your math skills? 11
Assessment (continued) Survey of students who did not make use of the Center I did not have time to get help. I received help from someone else. My instructor provided all the help I needed. I did not need help outside of class. The hours were not convenient. I did not know about it. The location was not convenient. 12
Contact information John T. Holm Director, Mathematics Learning Center Wright State University 3640 Col. Glenn Highway Dayton, Ohio 45435 john.holm{at}wright.edu (937) 775-2273 13