{"id":638,"date":"2019-07-17T18:18:34","date_gmt":"2019-07-17T18:18:34","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/wcsu.wpengine.com\/news-archives\/mathemporium\/"},"modified":"2019-07-17T18:18:34","modified_gmt":"2019-07-17T18:18:34","slug":"mathemporium","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.wcsu.edu\/news-archives\/mathemporium\/","title":{"rendered":"2013 WCSU Math Emporium aims to start students on path to success"},"content":{"rendered":"
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DANBURY, CONN. <\/strong>\u2014 A solid foundation in mathematics provides an essential first step for newly enrolled students to stay on track for academic success and graduation at Western Connecticut State University<\/a>. Students who enter Western without adequate preparation to tackle advanced mathematics at the college level will gain a powerful advantage beginning this year with the launch of Western\u2019s new Math Emporium<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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Representing the university\u2019s largest instructional space dedicated to computer-assisted learning, the WCSU Math Emporium in the Higgins Hall Annex<\/a> spans 3,500 square feet of classroom space renovated<\/a> this summer to provide a state-of-the-art technological center for mathematics education. The Emporium program, targeted for students enrolled in 100-level basic mathematics courses, is adapted to the specific learning pace of each student and designed to combine software-based learning tools, traditional lecture instruction and one-on-one tutoring.<\/p>\n

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WCSU Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Dr. Jane McBride Gates<\/a> described the Emporium approach to instruction as an educational strategy anchored in four core principles: Learning by doing, focusing on concepts still not mastered, providing immediate help in problem-solving, and requiring full participation.<\/p>\n

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\u201cToo often, students do not do well in math because they have become passive listeners in the classroom,\u201d Gates remarked. \u201cThe Emporium program will require students to do the math themselves. Rather than going over what they already know, students will focus their time in the Emporium working on what they don\u2019t yet know, and they will get assistance immediately when they encounter problems. They will be learning by doing.\u201d<\/p>\n

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Gates observed that the Math Emporium approach to instruction has a demonstrated track record at universities across the nation in improving course grades and enrollment retention rates among new students who enter college with inadequate foundations in mathematics. \u201cOver the years, I have been very impressed with technologies for adaptive computer-based learning, and I am absolutely thrilled with the Math Emporium,\u201d Gates said. \u201cOur students will have the best of both worlds: They will receive immediate feedback, corrections and guidance while they are doing math problems at the Emporium, and they will have the opportunity to work one-on-one with a faculty member.\u201d<\/p>\n

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Equipped with a total of 88 learning stations, the Math Emporium offers a flexible open-floor plan with 10 triangular pods, each equipped with computers and seating for four to six students, and a lecture space with computers and seating for 32 students that can be separated by retractable dividers from the rest of the center. The facility features diverse learning aids including whiteboards, SmartBoards connected to the university IT server, and a screen with overhead projection, as well as an adjoining office for faculty and teaching assistants who will provide tutoring on site.<\/p>\n

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Associate Professor of Mathematics Dr. Senan Hayes, who has coordinated the Math Emporium launch, is teaching a pilot class during the fall semester with an enrollment of 28 students to introduce the new instructional approach that encompasses both elementary and intermediate algebra. Drawing upon models from established Emporium programs at several higher education institutions nationwide, Hayes completed one workbook designed for Western\u2019s pilot course, Math 198, during the summer and currently is finishing a second workbook for the 100-level intermediate algebra course. Mathematics faculty members<\/a> and teaching assistants involved in 100-level instruction are being trained in use of the Emporium\u2019s software and workbooks. <\/p>\n

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These preparatory steps will pave the way for full rollout of the Math Emporium program in all 100-level mathematics courses during the spring semester starting in January. Hayes estimated the Math Emporium will provide the opportunity for more than 1,000 students each year to improve their mastery of fundamental mathematics by taking advantage of computer-based adaptive learning techniques that reinforce and build upon classroom instruction. All students in 100-level courses will be required to complete exercises using MyMathLab<\/a>, a Pearson Education software program, in tandem with the customized WCSU workbooks, enabling each student to make self-paced progress in mastery of lessons with immediate access to tutors to assist with special problems.\u00a0 \u201cYou become an active participant using the software and workbook, and this will make you better at the math you are trying to learn,\u201d Hayes noted. <\/p>\n

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A recent advance that has enhanced the power of the adaptive learning software used in the Math Emporium is the integration of the data-mining program \u201cKnewton\u201d<\/a> with Pearson\u2019s MyMathLab. \u201cThe Knewton technology helps the software recognize where students are struggling, and directs them to a particular tutorial to help with that specific problem,\u201d Hayes explained.<\/p>\n

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The target groups who will benefit from the Math Emporium program are those new students placed in intermediate algebra at the 100 level based on SAT math scores between 500 and 540, and those students with SAT math scores below 500 who are placed at the \u201c100-E\u201d level to receive \u201cembedded\u201d elementary algebra along with intermediate algebra instruction. Hayes noted that the latter group previously had been required to fulfill the elementary algebra requirement through a community college course before entering Western: \u201cThe Math Emporium will serve them better, and complete the requirement in one semester instead of two.\u201d<\/p>\n

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Gates noted the Math Emporium will fulfill the mandate under Connecticut Public Act 12-40<\/a> to pursue a more effective strategy in remedial and developmental instruction in mathematics and other core competencies, offering college-level course work for degree credit with embedded support for students needing assistance with basic content. She expressed confidence that the success of this new approach will be borne out in higher enrollment retention rates among students taking the Math 100 and Math 100-E courses.<\/p>\n

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\u201cWe know from experience that the old approach to remediation just didn\u2019t work,\u201d she said. \u201cStudents who were enrolled in remediation programs were still failing their courses. The Math Emporium speaks to the mainstreaming of these courses and the embedding of core competencies within our general education courses. This course redesign allows us to embed in our for-credit courses any of the deficiencies in math that our students have not met and overcome before they enter Western.\u201d<\/p>\n

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Hayes explained the course redesign also will contribute to keeping full-time students on track to earning an undergraduate degree within four years. \u201cResearch shows that if a student is in developmental math, it takes longer for that student to graduate,\u201d he said. \u201cSo when we move away from remediation and introduce enhanced math courses for elementary and intermediate algebra, not only will students\u2019 success rate improve but they will move faster into general education classes, increasing their retention rate.\u201d<\/p>\n

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Gates emphasized that both the new instructional approach for 100-level math courses and the physical layout of the Math Emporium have been carefully designed to promote active engagement and interaction of students with faculty, tutors and fellow classmates in their learning experience. \u201cWe have to understand who our students are \u2014 how they learn, how they work \u2014 and then provide the appropriate type of learning environment for them,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

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Mandatory participation in the computer-assisted learning exercises and classroom lessons also is a cornerstone of the program. Hayes said the university will seek to accommodate students\u2019 personal study habits, extracurricular activities and work schedules by offering extended daytime and evening hours for computer use in the Math Emporium, with the ultimate goal of providing 24\/7 access to the facility if staffing resources permit.<\/p>\n

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Gates observed the vision and realization of the Math Emporium emerged from planning by a faculty committee chaired by Professor of Mathematics Dr. Josie Hamer during the 2012-13 academic year, and received enthusiastic support from WCSU President James W. Schmotter, Dean of the School of Arts and Sciences Dr. Missy Alexander and Department of Mathematics Chair Dr. David Burns. She praised Hayes for his essential work on design and implementation of the program. \u201cI am impressed not only by his ability to understand the complexity of math learning, but also by his strong commitment to providing support programs for students to learn more effectively,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

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For more information, contact the Office of University Relations at (203) 837-8486.<\/p>\n

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Western Connecticut State University offers outstanding faculty in a range of quality academic programs. Our diverse university community provides students an enriching and supportive environment that takes advantage of the unique cultural offerings of Western Connecticut and New York.<\/em> \u00a0Our vision: To be an affordable public university with the characteristics<\/em> \u00a0of New England\u2019s best small private universities.<\/em><\/p>\n

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