Launch of report on Maths Learning Support
Senator Mary Moran , the Labour Party spokesperson on Education, Disability, Equality & Mental Health, officially launched a ground-breaking report on Maths Learning Support in DCU on Friday 21st November, 2014.
The report, entitled “Student Evaluation of Mathematics Learning Support: Insights from a large multi-institutional survey” was based on an extensive student survey conducted by the IMLSN (Irish Mathematics Learning Support Network). This evaluation is the first of its kind to be undertaken on such a scale in Ireland, and involved responses from over 1,600 first-year students across nine Higher Education Institutions, including Dublin City University. The report contains valuable insights about the transition from second to third level mathematics for students across a range of disciplines, as well as detailing the impact that they perceive mathematics support services have upon their ability to cope with this challenge
Speaking at the launch, Senator Moran said 'I am delighted to launch this report; I found it fascinating and the confidence that Maths Learning Support gives to students is very important'. Senator Moran added that two of her children had regularly availed of Maths Learning Support and had told her that they found the support they received invaluable.
Professor Duncan Lawson (sigma, and Newman University, Birmingham) who also attended the launch in DCU, stated 'this report is a hugely significant piece of work; a ‘whole nation’ study which is unique in its extent. It is of huge value, certainly in Ireland but also internationally. It is evidence based and should be seriously considered by practitioners of Mathematics Learning Support (MLS), policy makers and senior managers within HEIs'. Professor John O'Donoghue (UL and the NCE-MSTL) added that 'I expect that this report will become a seminal report for Maths Learning Support'.
The IMLSN is a network of practitioners of MLS in Ireland who collaborate and share resources to ensure best practice in the provision of MLS. For further information, please contact one of the authors: Dr. Eabhnat Ní Fhloinn (School of Mathematical Sciences, DCU), Ciarán O'Sullivan (IT Tallaght), Dr. Ciarán Mac an Bhaird, (MU) and Dr. Olivia Fitzmaurice (UL).
The report and the presentations from the launch are available on the IMSLN website: http://supportcentre.maths.nuim.ie/mathsnetwork/IMLSNReportLaunch