Widening participation in subjects requiring data handling skills: the MathsAid Project

Atkins, Nigel; May, Steve; Marks-Maran, Di

doi:10.1080/03098770500353607

Cited by 9 publications

(9 citation statements)

References 4 publications

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“…Research suggests that PAL programs can produce significant academic and non-academic benefits for students and PAL leaders (Ginsburg-Block, Rohrberk & Fantuzzo, 2006;Tariq, 2005;Atkins et al, 2005;Playford et al, 1999). The University of Queensland, for example, reports having had success with peer assisted study (PASS) programs in science, economics and business subjects (Playford et al, 1999).…”

Section: Academic Benefits Of Palmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…It is utilised to facilitate learning in various fields, including economics, accounting, bioscience, law, vocational learning and medical education (Tariq, 2005;O'Donnell, 2004;Howman, Bertfield & Needleman, 2002;Sullivan, 2002;Evans et al, 2001;Coe et al, 1999;Playford, Miller & Kelly, 1999;Topping et al, 1997). In countries such as the UK and the USA, peer-assisted learning is a popular method of assisting students with subjects such as mathematics and chemistry (Atkins, May & Marks-Maran, 2005).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Peer-Assisted Learning in Accounting --- A Qualitative Assessment

Dobbie¹,

Joyce²

2009

ASS

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Since 2003, Macquarie University has operated a peer-assisted learning (PAL) program in several accounting units. This paper presents the results of a qualitative assessment of that program. The data were collected via a series of focus groups with student participants and student leaders involved in the peer-assisted learning program. The focus group discussions were transcribed and analysed. The results suggest that peer-assisted learning at Macquarie generates significant academic and non-academic benefits for all those involved. The analysis did, however, reveal a number of ways in which the program could be improved. Two areas stand out in this respect: first, it is essential that the program is suitably supervised by relevant academic staff. Second, the quality of the training given to PAL leaders is crucially important.

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Section: Academic Benefits Of Palmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Peer-Assisted Learning in Accounting --- A Qualitative Assessment

Dobbie¹,

Joyce²

2009

ASS

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“…A more recent study by Atkins et al (2005) examined the success of a PAL-based mathematics aid program at Kingston University in the UK. The program aims to facilitate learning and understanding among undergraduate students taking a mathematics or statistics subject.…”

Section: Academic Benefits Of Palmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Academic Benefits Of Palmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Asian Social Science, Vol. 4, No. 3, March, 2008

ASS¹

2009

ASS

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Learning and teaching is an important component of university life -critical for students and also for those who teach. Our aim is to make this practice more enjoyable and effective for all involved, and at the same time to encourage a scholarly approach to the process. This volume of Asian Social Science is devoted to the work of a team of academic staff who have collaborated in making real improvements to their teaching and the learning of their students. In this article we will discuss the process of setting up the group, the pedagogical rationale, and the training and support given to all members.Keywords: Professional development, Curriculum change, Case studies, Action research BackgroundThe Division of Economic and Financial Studies (EFS) is the largest Division at Macquarie University with around 4 000 postgraduate students, 9 000 undergraduate students and 300 full and part-time academic staff. The Division offers a mix of disciplines with five departments -Accounting and Finance, Actuarial Studies, Business, Economics, and Statistics. Students can focus on becoming specialist economists, accountants, actuaries, demographers or statisticians or combine other major studies to pursue interests such as organisational psychology, computing, environmental management, languages or other electives. The programs are accredited by the relevant professional bodies.Faculty members are eager to improve the experiences of their students and, in 2007, the Dean allocated extra funds to assist the development of the learning and teaching process. Several models were discussed and, ultimately, the Learning Excellence and Development (LEAD) team was set up by the Division's Director of Learning and Teaching Studies (Leigh Wood) and the Associate Dean of Learning and Teaching (Peter Petocz), two positions with key responsibility for the learning and teaching process Division-wide.There are numerous external pressures for academics to demonstrate that their teaching is effective. The Australian Government has set up a Learning and Teaching Performance Fund (LTPF) that is linked to measures of teaching, such as student retention, progression rates through degrees, graduate employment and pay, and students' assessment of their learning at university. University funding is linked to performance on the LTPF. For individual staff members, salary bonuses may be linked to being able to demonstrate the quality of their teaching, so there are extrinsic as well as intrinsic incentives to improve. Of course, the main reason for investigating teaching is to improve the experiences of our students! For a non-Australian audience, let us explain how most teaching is carried out at Macquarie University (and generally in Australian universities). Students enrol in Bachelor degree programs straight from school and most degrees take three years (six semesters), four years for Engineering and six for medicine. Students generally enrol in four subjects per semester, eight per year, 24 for a degree, though there is some variation in the...

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