(Origins of this project)
Introduction of the identifier “Maths Ready”:
Current activities include:
- To analyse RMIT data on the articulation of TAFE students (Diploma, Advanced Diploma and Associate Degree) into HE programs. This will include those students following agreed pathways, but not restricted to these only.
- Have piloted pre-calculus and calculus diagnostic tests using Pearson’s mymathtest with a small group of Victorian secondary students. (A report is being prepared on this and will be completed early in 2010.)
- An RMIT maths ready web site has been developed. At last visit on 05/02/2010 the page included a “Welcome” page and pages for “Test Instructions”, “Reasons for taking the test”, “Outline of the process”, “Additional support” and “FAQ”(s).
- Diagnostic testing of Environmental Science (SAS) students and all Engineering students commencing studies in 2010 has agreed to be made compulsory.
- Discussions with SLC staff has led to their summer bridging programs to take account of published prerequisites and discipline expectations.
- The following tests have been developed using the Pearson mymathtest package:
- School of Applied Sciences (SAS): math2123. The stated prerequisite is VCE Maths Methods (or equivalent).
- Test addresses only the pre-calculus component. Three tests consist of 25, 35 and 40 questions respectively. Environmental Science stream are offered two attempts at each of the three tests (prior to scheduled SLC summer bridging course) and one attempt at each after. The best mark obtained in all attempts contributes a small percentage towards their final grade in math2123.
- All Environmental Science students will attend a separate class for semester 1 (as they successfully did in 2009).
- Content of math2123 has been modified to concentrate on stats only. Students who do not perform adequately in the pre-calculus diagnostic tests are to attend an extra weekly remedial maths class for the entire semester. A final diagnostic test will determine the pre-calculus contribution to their final grade in math2123.
- School of Aerospace, Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering students (SAMME): math2117 (semester 1) and math2118 (semester 2). The stated prerequisite is VCE Maths Methods (or equivalent).
- Tests address both pre-calculus and calculus components in the form of two tests consisting of 32 questions each. Students will be offered two attempts at each of the two tests (prior to scheduled SLC summer bridging course) and one attempt at each after. The best mark obtained in all attempts will contribute a small percentage towards their final grades in math2117 and math2118.
- All Manufacturing and Materials Engineering students to attend a separate class for both semesters (as they successfully did in 2009).
- School of Electrical and Computer Engineering (SECE): math2160. Prerequisite is VCE Maths Methods (or equivalent).
- Tests address both pre-calculus and calculus components in the form of two tests consisting of 32 questions each. Students will be offered two attempts at each of the two tests (prior to scheduled SLC summer bridging course) and one attempt at each after. The best mark obtained in all attempts will contribute a small percentage towards their final grade in math2160.
- A small group of students will attend a separate class in math2160 (as they successfully did in 2009). Criterion for selection in this small class to be refined from that used in 2009, where it was on a first-come basis. Now that SECE have several clearly identifiable separate degree programs, cut-off scores used in the selection process may suggest one of the streams as the most likely to benefit from the small class size environment.
- School of Civil, Environmental and Chemical Engineering (SCECE): math2113. Prerequisite is VCE Maths Methods (or equivalent).
- Tests address both pre-calculus and calculus components in the form of two tests consisting of 32 questions each. Students will be offered two attempts at each of the two tests (prior to scheduled SLC summer bridging course) and one attempt at each after. The best mark obtained in all attempts will contribute a small percentage towards their final grade in math2113.
- All Environmental Engineering students will attend a separate class for semester 1—SCECE students did not participate in this way in 2009.
- Study and Learning Centre (SLC) staff, employed centrally by Student Services, will continue attending scheduled practice tutorial classes for all four small classes, as well as the extra weekly remedial maths class for Environmental Science students in math2123.