Mathematics support program for commencing engineering students between 1990 and 1996: an Australian case study

Article

Taylor, Janet A. and Morgan, Michael J.. 1999. "Mathematics support program for commencing engineering students between 1990 and 1996: an Australian case study." International Journal of Engineering Education. 15 (6), pp. 486-492.
Article Title

Mathematics support program for commencing engineering students between 1990 and 1996: an Australian case study

ERA Journal ID20618
Article CategoryArticle
AuthorsTaylor, Janet A. (Author) and Morgan, Michael J. (Author)
Journal TitleInternational Journal of Engineering Education
Journal Citation15 (6), pp. 486-492
Number of Pages7
Year1999
Place of PublicationDublin, Ireland
ISSN0949-149X
Web Address (URL)http://www.ijee.dit.ie/articles/Vol15-6/ijee1108.pdf
Abstract

For the last twenty years or more higher education institutions have been concerned about the participation of students in engineering studies. Much of this concern centres around the ability of students to perform appropriate mathematics. This paper reports on the level of mathematical skills of engineering students entering a regional Australian university. In the seven years of the study, students have continued to have difficulties with estimation, fractions, indices, order of operations, graphs and basic algebra. The paper further reports on an intervention strategy which was designed to address these difficulties which has improved the success of participants repeatedly over the seven years of the program.

Keywordsfirst year students; pre-requisite skills
ANZSRC Field of Research 2020390303. Higher education
390109. Mathematics and numeracy curriculum and pedagogy
390113. Science, technology and engineering curriculum and pedagogy
Public Notes

File reproduced in accordance with the copyright policy of the publisher/author.

Byline AffiliationsLearning and Teaching Support Unit
Faculty of Engineering and Surveying
Permalink -

https://research.usq.edu.au/item/9y54z/mathematics-support-program-for-commencing-engineering-students-between-1990-and-1996-an-australian-case-study

Log in to edit
  • 1857
    total views
  • 83
    total downloads
  • 0
    views this month
  • 0
    downloads this month

Export as

Related outputs

Conceptualising, implementing and evaluating the use of digital technologies to enhance mathematical understanding: reflections on an innovation–development cycle
Galligan, Linda, McDonald, Christine, Hobohm, Carola, Loch, Birgit and Taylor, Janet. 2015. "Conceptualising, implementing and evaluating the use of digital technologies to enhance mathematical understanding: reflections on an innovation–development cycle." Lock, Jennifer, Danaher, Patrick and Redmond, Petrea (ed.) Educational developments, practices and effectiveness: global perspectives and contexts. United Kingdom. Palgrave Macmillan. pp. 137-160
Managing diversity in first year service mathematics course: integration of effective numeracy teaching principles and management theory
Taylor, Janet A. and Mander, David. 2002. "Managing diversity in first year service mathematics course: integration of effective numeracy teaching principles and management theory." 6th Pacific Rim First Year in Higher Education Conference (FYHE 2002). Christchurch, New Zealand 08 - 10 Jul 2002
Assessment: a tool for development and engagement in the first year of university study
Taylor, Janet A.. 2006. "Assessment: a tool for development and engagement in the first year of university study." 9th Pacific Rim First Year in Higher Education Conference (FYHE 2006). Gold Coast, Australia 12 - 14 Jul 2006
The use of tablet and related technologies in mathematics teaching
Galligan, Linda, Loch, Birgit, McDonald, Christine and Taylor, Janet A.. 2010. "The use of tablet and related technologies in mathematics teaching." Australian Senior Mathematics Journal. 24 (1), pp. 38-51.
A guide for entry level PBL courses in engineering
Gibbings, Peter and Morgan, Michael J.. 2005. "A guide for entry level PBL courses in engineering." International Journal of Continuing Engineering Education and Life-Long Learning. 15 (3-6), pp. 276-290. https://doi.org/10.1504/IJCEELL.2005.007716
Perceived mathematical proficiencies required for first year study at The University of Southern Queensland
Taylor, Janet A., Galligan, Linda and Van Vuuren, Peter. 1998. Perceived mathematical proficiencies required for first year study at The University of Southern Queensland. Toowoomba, Australia. University of Southern Queensland.
Assessment in first year university: a model to manage transition
Taylor, Janet A.. 2008. "Assessment in first year university: a model to manage transition ." Journal of University Teaching and Learning Practice. 5 (1), pp. 19-33.
Learning approaches, personality and concepts of knowledge of first-year students: mature-age versus school leaver
Burton, Lorelle J., Taylor, Janet A., Dowling, David G. and Lawrence, Jill. 2009. "Learning approaches, personality and concepts of knowledge of first-year students: mature-age versus school leaver." Studies in Learning Evaluation Innovation and Development. 6 (1), pp. 65-81.
Adults returning to study mathematics
Galligan, Linda and Taylor, Janet A.. 2008. "Adults returning to study mathematics." Forgasz, Helen, Barkatsas, Anastasios, Bishop, Alan, Clarke, Barbara, Keast, Stephen, Seah, Wee Tiong and Sullivan, Peter (ed.) Research in mathematics education in Australasia 2004-2007. Rotterdam, Netherlands. Sense Publishers. pp. 99-118
Hong Kong Higher Diploma in Engineering and Australian Bachelor of Technology in Engineering: similarities and differences
Morgan, Michael J., Fulcher, Robert and Ku, Harry S.. 1996. "Hong Kong Higher Diploma in Engineering and Australian Bachelor of Technology in Engineering: similarities and differences." Asia Engineer.
Articulation, credit transfer and flexible delivery of engineering degree courses: Australia, Malaysia and Hong Kong
Morgan, M. J., Fulcher, R. L. and Ku, H. S.. 1998. "Articulation, credit transfer and flexible delivery of engineering degree courses: Australia, Malaysia and Hong Kong." Jurutera: Institution of Engineers Malaysia Monthly Bulletin. 1998 (1), pp. 57-67.
Innovative residential schools for engineering degree courses
Morgan, Michael J., Fulcher, Robert and Ku, Harry S.. 1999. "Innovative residential schools for engineering degree courses ." Quarterly Journal of Singapore Institute of Engineering Technologists. 18 (4), pp. 53-58.
Mathematics for math anxious students studying at a distance
Taylor, Janet A. and Mohr, Joan. 2001. "Mathematics for math anxious students studying at a distance ." Journal of Developmental Education. 25 (1), pp. 30-41.
Making students AWARE: an online strategy for students given academic warning
Taylor, Janet A. and Lawrence, Jill. 2007. "Making students AWARE: an online strategy for students given academic warning." Studies in Learning Evaluation Innovation and Development. 4 (2), pp. 39-52.
Studying at university: early perceptions and experiences of first year service mathematics students
Taylor, Janet A. and Mander, Alison. 2007. "Studying at university: early perceptions and experiences of first year service mathematics students ." Studies in Learning Evaluation Innovation and Development. 4 (3), pp. 29-43.
Managing staff development for online education: a situated learning model
Taylor, Janet A.. 2003. "Managing staff development for online education: a situated learning model." Journal of Higher Education Policy and Management. 25 (1), pp. 75-87. https://doi.org/10.1080/13600800305742
Self test: a flexible self assessment package for distance and other learners
Taylor, Janet. 1998. "Self test: a flexible self assessment package for distance and other learners." Computers and Education. 31 (3), pp. 319-328. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0360-1315(98)00044-X
Flexible delivery: an Australian perspective
Morgan, M. J.. 1998. "Flexible delivery: an Australian perspective." Pudlowski, Zenon J. (ed.) 5th Global Congress on Engineering Education 1998. Cracow, Poland 06 - 11 Sep 1998 Melbourne, Australia.
Writing in groups as a tool for non-routine problem solving in first year university mathematics
Taylor, Janet A. and McDonald, Christine. 2007. "Writing in groups as a tool for non-routine problem solving in first year university mathematics." International Journal of Mathematical Education in Science and Technology. 38 (5), pp. 639-655. https://doi.org/10.1080/00207390701359396
Research into research on adults in Bridging Mathematics: the past, the present and the future
Taylor, Janet A. and Galligan, Linda. 2006. "Research into research on adults in Bridging Mathematics: the past, the present and the future." Horne, M. and Marr, B. (ed.) 12th Annual International Conference of Adults Learning Mathematics-A Research Forum (ALM) jointly with the Australian Council for Adult Literacy. Melbourne, Australia 03 - 07 Jul 2005 Melbourne, Australia.
A web 2.0/web3D hybrid platform for engaging students in e-learning environments
de Byl, Penny and Taylor, Janet. 2007. "A web 2.0/web3D hybrid platform for engaging students in e-learning environments." Turkish Online Journal of Distance Education. 8 (3), pp. 108-127.
Analysis of student beliefs in a tertiary preparatory mathematics course
Carmichael, Colin S. and Taylor, Janet A.. 2005. "Analysis of student beliefs in a tertiary preparatory mathematics course." Kingfisher Delta '05: 5th Southern Hemisphere Conference on Undergraduate Mathematics and Statistics Teaching and Learning. Fraser Island, Australia 22 - 26 Nov 2005 London, United Kingdom. https://doi.org/10.1080/00207390500271065
Staff perceptions of factors related to non-completion in higher education
Taylor, Janet A. and Bedford, Tasman. 2004. "Staff perceptions of factors related to non-completion in higher education ." Studies in Higher Education. 29 (3), pp. 375-394. https://doi.org/10.1080/03075070410001682637
Mathematics for maths anxious tertiary students: integrating the cognitive and affective domains using interactive multimedia
Taylor, Janet and Galligan, Linda. 2006. "Mathematics for maths anxious tertiary students: integrating the cognitive and affective domains using interactive multimedia." Literacy and Numeracy Studies. 15 (1), pp. 23-43.
Undergraduate mathematics and the role of mathematics learning support
Taylor, Janet A.. 1999. "Undergraduate mathematics and the role of mathematics learning support." Spunde, Walter, Cretchley, Patricia and Hubbard, R. (ed.) Delta '99, the Second Symposium on Undergraduate Mathematics. Laguna Quays, Australia 21 - 24 Nov 1999 Queensland.
Identifying at-risk students: is it possible in a tertiary preparation course for adults?
Carmichael, Colin S., Dunn, Peter K. and Taylor, Janet A.. 2006. "Identifying at-risk students: is it possible in a tertiary preparation course for adults?" Grootenboer, Peter, Zevenbergen, Robyn and Chinnappan, Mohan (ed.) 29th Annual Conference of the Mathematics Education Research Group of Australasia (MERGA29). Canberra, Australia 01 - 05 Jul 2006 Wahroonga, Sydney, Australia.
The evolution of online learning in bridging mathematics at a distance: the tension between learning needs, technological innovation and access restrictions in an Australian regional university
Taylor, Janet A.. 2002. "The evolution of online learning in bridging mathematics at a distance: the tension between learning needs, technological innovation and access restrictions in an Australian regional university." Statham, M. (ed.) Crossing the Bridge: Proceedings of the 10th Australasian Bridging Mathematics. Auckland, New Zealand. UNITEC. pp. 67-74
Learning styles among mature age students: some comments on the approaches to studying inventory (ASI-S)
Fogarty, Gerard J. and Taylor, Janet A.. 1997. "Learning styles among mature age students: some comments on the approaches to studying inventory (ASI-S)." Higher Education Research and Development. 16 (3), pp. 321-330. https://doi.org/10.1080/0729436970160306
Developing study skills in a first year mathematics course
Taylor, Janet A. and Mander, David. 2003. "Developing study skills in a first year mathematics course." New Zealand Journal of Mathematics. 32 (Supplementary issue), pp. 217-225.