Dyscalculia and Dyslexia Interest Group : Dyscalculia and Dyslexia Interest Group 16th March 2004
Sarah Parsons
sjparsons@harper-adams.ac.uk
Learning Support Tutor and Visiting Lecturer Engineering Mathematics and the Dyslexic Student
The Dream … : The Dream … BEng, BSc, HND ‘Engineering’ … New Learner Support Team Office The Bamford Library
College Numbers : College Numbers 1700 FTE students approx.
218 Dyslexic Students (13%)
200 Engineering students
13 of 50 (26%) 1st year engineers dyslexic
Approx. half of HND cohort are dyslexic
Many without A level Maths, many ND’s
25% of Engineers supported for Maths
75% approx. revision support (2002/3)
The Hurdles : The Hurdles Dyslexia – Specific Learning Difficulty
Mathematics – exams must be passed
Lack of confidence, anxiety
Types of Mistakes:
Mistakes in copying to next line
e.g. + and -, + and x, digits p & q, confused Fractions inverted, decimal points
Parts of questions/whole question/papers omitted in exams
Engineering Mathematics Changes from 2001/2 : Engineering Mathematics Changes from 2001/2 Diagnostic testing
Amended content
Lower starting point, same end point
Support available
BEng, BSc and HND lectured separately
Printed lecture handouts
Dyslexia Friendly Support : Dyslexia Friendly Support Friendly, informal, light-hearted
Praise, encouragement, success
Clear teaching of mathematics
Students do Maths
individually and collectively on board
Time for students to think
Use of visual images, colour
Every day language, clear handwriting
Dyslexia Friendly Support : Dyslexia Friendly Support Use of formula sheets
Summarise module content
Help to show ‘wood from the trees’
Help students to work from data sheets
Link existing knowledge, restate facts
Before new learning, to aid memory
During support e.g. differentiation rules
Variety of Modules supported
Revision for exams
Failure & Success Cycles : Failure & Success Cycles
Failure Cycle
in Maths
Failure
Avoiding Maths
Negative Attitudes
Success Cycle
in Maths
More Effort
Positive Attitudes
Success Ernest, 2000 ‘I believe virtually anyone can be taught some maths. I think attitude, anxiety and belief are critical factors …’ Chinn (2001)
Current Success Details : Current Success Details High Exam marks
Many A’s and Distinctions, Average A’s
Very few Maths failures
96% pass rate last semester
Students learn all EC maths requirements
Success Cycles = Student progression
Greatly improved student retention
Positive Student Feedback
Student Feedback : Student Feedback ‘Maths Support was very useful, without I don’t believe I wouldn’t have passed this module, but now I’m getting “A” grades in my exams’
‘The Extra Maths is very helpful with (Sarah Parsons) helpful with any promble’
(Dyslexic engineering students, 2003) Student Survey Q. Did you find Extra Maths useful?
Response (1-5,5=very): M/BEng: 5 BSc: 4.7 HND: 4.5
Slide12 : Maths Support
Helping
your studies
Take Off !
I wouldn’t have got my Distinction
without doing Extra Maths