How are we progressing with academic numeracy at regional universities? Perspectives from first-year undergraduate studies
Article
Article Title | How are we progressing with academic numeracy at regional universities? Perspectives from first-year undergraduate studies |
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ERA Journal ID | 20493 |
Article Category | Article |
Authors | Woolcott, Geoff (Author), Galligan, Linda (Author), Whannell, Robert (Author), Marshman, Margaret (Author), Axelsen, Taryn (Author), Schmalz, Jelena (Author) and Sultanova, Nargiz (Author) |
Journal Title | Mathematics Education Research Journal |
Journal Citation | 33, pp. 451-468 |
Number of Pages | 18 |
Year | 2021 |
Publisher | Springer |
Place of Publication | Netherlands |
ISSN | 1033-2170 |
Digital Object Identifier (DOI) | https://doi.org/10.1007/s13394-020-00312-3 |
Web Address (URL) | https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007%2Fs13394-020-00312-3 |
Abstract | This study provides an overview of the support provided for academic numeracy for first-year students across six Australian regional universities. Survey analysis of university academics provided an overview of the approaches used in academic numeracy in diverse cohorts. Further investigations via semi-structured interviews and secondary data were performed, providing details of the level of academic numeracy required in the subjects offered, identification of at-risk students and strategies for student support, and student responses to service provision. A case study at one university provided a more detailed view of the factors influencing attrition in first-year academic numeracy subjects. This case study highlighted issues related to a one-size-fits-all approach and findings argue for a more nuanced cohort-based approach that combines conventional statistical analysis with analysis that provides a more detailed view of complex scenarios. The study suggests that while support services are not responding well to the issue of attrition, better targeting individual student support may lead to improvements. |
Keywords | Academic numeracy; Attrition and retention; Regional universities; Student support services; Undergraduate mathematics |
ANZSRC Field of Research 2020 | 390303. Higher education |
390109. Mathematics and numeracy curriculum and pedagogy | |
Byline Affiliations | Southern Cross University |
School of Agricultural, Computational and Environmental Sciences | |
University of New England | |
University of the Sunshine Coast | |
Federation University | |
Institution of Origin | University of Southern Queensland |
https://research.usq.edu.au/item/q5q6q/how-are-we-progressing-with-academic-numeracy-at-regional-universities-perspectives-from-first-year-undergraduate-studies
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