No abstract

In this paper, we consider the changes to mathematics learning support (MLS) at Maynooth University due to the COVID-19 pandemic, including the provision of novel online study groups aimed at increasing student engagement and interaction. We briefly outline the local, national and international impact of COVID-19 on MLS and then focus on the results of a student survey. Respondents who regularly used online MLS were broadly positive about their experiences. They cited, in particular, the influence of tutors and the scheduled study groups, which provided structure and motivation as well as the opportunity to work with others and ask questions in less intimidating small groups. However, some respondents highlighted factors that impacted negatively on their engagement. These included low attendance or interaction from peers, timetabling issues or busy schedules, lack of awareness of the details of the services and increased feelings of discomfort and anxiety in an online environment. We consider how this student feedback may influence our future online and in-person supports.

In this paper, we focus on survey results of students’ use of a Mathematics Support Centre website. We discuss potential modifications to the advertisement of our online services based on student responses. We also consider the purpose of an MSC website and who should be responsible, in an institution, for the provision of topic specific online resources for students.

In this paper we consider survey results which focus on student use of online resources, where all respondents were attendees of a Mathematics Support Centre. We see that while most respondents are engaging with online resources, some are not using resources in an appropriate fashion. We discuss how these preliminary findings might inform discussions on the merits, or otherwise, of institutions providing training for students on their use of online materials. We also identify several areas of potential further research.

Due to Covid-19, mathematics support at Maynooth University transitioned from in-person to online over a very short period in March 2020. This paper provides a brief description of the technologies used by six tutors to facilitate this move. We outline why the tutors picked these technologies and how they used them. We also consider the issues tutors wanted to resolve and reflect on the outcomes of their experiences.

Mathematics Support Centres are available in the majority of Higher Education Institutions in Ireland and the UK. Whilst the online presence of these centres appears to be increasing, there is little research to date which considers its breadth or effectiveness. In this paper we consider the results of a survey on the online presence of support centres in Ireland and the UK. We discuss the opportunities that arise from such a presence, the challenges that exist and what the results of the survey mean for individual practitioners and the wider mathematics support community.

In this paper we report on a pilot of resources to support students with dyslexia conducted at a university in Ireland. We give brief background to the development of these resources and describe the steps taken to pilot them in a mathematics support centre. We outline the feedback received from tutors and students, and close with observations on how the pilot outcomes may influence the future implementation of these and other similar resources.

In this paper we report on the main themes which emerged from analysis of a survey of students registered with the Access, Disability and Mature Student offices at Maynooth University. The survey focussed on the students’ experiences of mathematics and the mathematics academic supports available to them. The majority of student feedback was positive, for example their engagement with the Mathematics Support Centre, improved understanding of mathematics and the influence of tutors and peers. However, some issues emerged in relation to impact on learning, such as inflexible departmental structures with fixed deadlines and a lack of student awareness of the supports available. In addition to discussing the main results, we outline how the findings will guide the future provision of such supports.