Studying at university: early perceptions and experiences of first year service mathematics students

Article


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.
Article Title

Studying at university: early perceptions and experiences of first year service mathematics students

ERA Journal ID20774
Article CategoryArticle
AuthorsTaylor, Janet A. (Author) and Mander, Alison (Author)
Journal TitleStudies in Learning Evaluation Innovation and Development
Journal Citation4 (3), pp. 29-43
Number of Pages15
Year2007
PublisherCentral Queensland University
Place of PublicationRockhampton, Australia
ISSN1832-2050
Web Address (URL)http://sleid.cqu.edu.au/index.php
Abstract

It is well known that studying at university for the first time can be problematic for both recent school leavers and mature-aged students. The present study investigated students’ behaviours, expectations and perceptions of university study within the context of a first-year service mathematics subject. The study investigated the perceptions of both on-campus and distance education students using a mixed methodology of surveys, and structured and unstructured interviews. The findings indicate that on-campus students spend significantly less time studying than distance education students, with both groups studying fewer hours than expected by curriculum designers. Further, although students clearly reported the characteristics that they believed defined an effective student, on questioning, few displayed the characteristics in their study practices and few accessed or had the skills to access the available support offered. The implications for academic staff and curriculum designers are briefly discussed, along with the study’s relevance to the students’ experience in the first year of university.

Keywordsmathematics; university; student perceptions
ANZSRC Field of Research 2020390203. Sociology of education
390303. Higher education
390109. Mathematics and numeracy curriculum and pedagogy
Public Notes

The journal states that 'Copyright of articles is retained by authors. As an open access journal, articles are free to use, with proper attribution, in educational and other non-commercial settings.'

Byline AffiliationsLearning and Teaching Support Unit
Faculty of Education
Permalink -

https://research.usq.edu.au/item/9y843/studying-at-university-early-perceptions-and-experiences-of-first-year-service-mathematics-students

Download files


Published Version
Taylor_Mander.pdf
File access level: Anyone

  • 2052
    total views
  • 626
    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
Constructing and deconstructing binaries in education research
Mander, Alison, Danaher, Patrick Alan, Tyler, Mark A. and Midgley, Warren. 2011. "Constructing and deconstructing binaries in education research." Midgley, Warren, Tyler, Mark A., Danaher, Patrick Alan and Mander, Alison (ed.) Beyond binaries in education research. United States. Routledge. pp. 1-12
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.
Collaboration for success: Queensland style
King, Sheila, Drabble, Anne, Franklin, Ros, Rodier, Cathy and Mander, Alison. 2007. "Collaboration for success: Queensland style." Rees, Nancy, Boyd, Don and Terry, Emmy (ed.) 23rd National Rural Education Conference: Collaboration for Success in Rural and Remote Education and Training . Perth, Australia 30 - 31 Aug 2007 Osborne Park, Western Australia.
Towards pedagogical consensus: the first chapter in a Faculty of Education strategic review
Aniftos, Michelle, Mander, Alison, Redmond, Petrea and Ryan, Mary. 2002. "Towards pedagogical consensus: the first chapter in a Faculty of Education strategic review." Aniftos, Michelle G. and Mander, Alison (ed.) 2002 Australian Teacher Education Association Conference (2002 ATEA). Brisbane, Australia 12 - 15 Jul 2002 Toowoomba, Australia. Australian Teacher Education Association.
Constructing a pre-service teacher online learning community
Redmond, Petrea and Mander, Alison. 2009. "Constructing a pre-service teacher online learning community." Gibson, Ian, Weber, Roberta, McFerrin, Karen, Carlsen, Roger and Willis, Dee Anna (ed.) 20th International Conference of the Society for Information Technology and Teacher Education (SITE 2009). Charleston, United States 02 - 06 Mar 2009 Chesapeake, VA. United States.
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
Mathematics support program for commencing engineering students between 1990 and 1996: an Australian case study
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.
Meaning-making from the practice of personal pedagogies: the cases of Australian secondary teachers and english teachers of travellers
Mander, Alison and Danaher, Patrick Alan. 2007. "Meaning-making from the practice of personal pedagogies: the cases of Australian secondary teachers and english teachers of travellers." Fogarty, Roderick (ed.) 3rd International Conference on Pedagogies and Learning. Brisbane, Australia 26 - 28 Sep 2007 Toowoomba, Australia.
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.
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
Editors' introduction to special theme issue [of International Journal of Pedagogies and Learning]: Meanings emerging in practice (Part 1)
Danaher, Patrick Alan, Mander, Alison, McMaster, John, O'Neill, Shirley and Son, Jeong-Bae. 2007. "Editors' introduction to special theme issue [of International Journal of Pedagogies and Learning]: Meanings emerging in practice (Part 1)." International Journal of Pedagogies and Learning. 3 (1), pp. 1-5.
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.
Online mentoring of pre-service teachers: exploring cognitive presence
Redmond, Petrea and Mander, Alison. 2006. "Online mentoring of pre-service teachers: exploring cognitive presence." Crawford, Caroline, Carlsen, Roger, Price, Jerry D., McFerrin, Karen, Weber, Roberta and Willis, Dee Anna (ed.) 17th International Conference of the Society for Information Technology and Teacher Education (SITE 2006). Orlando, United States of America 20 - 24 Mar 2006 Chesapeake, VA.
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.