Posted 10th May 2010

 CETL-MSOR Conference 2010 - Continuing Excellence in Teaching and Learning

"2020 Vision: Maths and Stats in Higher Education over the next 10 years"

to be held at The University of Birmingham on Monday 6th - Tuesday 7th September 2010.

The aim of this conference is to promote, explore and disseminate effective practice and research findings in Mathematics and Statistics teaching, learning, support and assessment. The conference will appeal to all those teaching Mathematics, Statistics or Numeracy in higher education, whether this is to specialist mathematics students or students studying components of mathematics within their degree programmes (such as bioscience, chemistry, computer science, economics, engineering, nursing, physics, psychology, social work, etc.).

The conference will explore the following themes :

• Assessment
• The independent learner
• Practitioner research
• Mathematics, mind and brain
• Evaluating support centres
• Higher level and postgraduate teaching . Outreach and public engagement .
• Innovative Practice

 Further details from http://mathstore.ac.uk/conference2010

• Registration opens:- 28 June 2010
• Booking deadline for full conference:- 6 August 2010
• Deadline for abstract submission:-  Friday 4 June 2010

Call for CETL-MSOR Conference 2010 abstract submissions - now open.

Authors are invited to submit abstracts of no more than 500 words which explore the themes of the conference and in particular discuss the implications for the next 10 years of the work being presented. Interesting reports on issues relating to the wider teaching and learning of mathematics and statistics that do not fit directly with any of the above themes will also be considered.

Abstracts for all types of submissions must be made by Friday 4th June 2010.

Posted 23rd April 2010

A feature of the upgraded mathcentre site is the availability of on-line computer generated exercises covering topics in differentiation and integration.

These make use of the STACK (System for Teaching and Assessment using a Computer Algebra Kernel) system developed by Dr Chris Sangwin at the University of Birmingham. With funding from the FETLAR project we have added links to many of the Teach Yourself booklets so that students can find many additional practice questions. These are generated randomly. Students then work out and input their answers. Student answers are then  validated to ensure that the computer system understands correctly the student's intention, before the attempt is marked. Full worked solutions are available. Repeated attempts are possible. Similar questions can be attempted for further practice.

To find STACK exercises look for those Teach Yourself booklets on Differentiation and Integration entitled "with STACK", or use the search facility, and search for "STACK". 

Posted 6th April 2010

The popular site for mathematics resources, mathcentre (www.mathcentre.ac.uk) has been upgraded with funding from JISC. 

Search facilities have been enhanced to make it easier for you to find the resources you need.  Video tutorials, diagnostics and exercises have been reversioned addressing the technical problems that some users were encountering. New resources have been added. 

We hope you enjoy using the new mathcentre.  Let us know what you think.

Posted 5th April 2010

We are delighted to announce the mathcentre Community Project which has been developed to enable users to contribute resources they have developed to mathcentre as 2-page teach-yourself Quick Reference leaflets.

Resources may be submitted on Microsoft Word or LaTeX templates and must be reviewed to ensure correctness.  To download blank templates and for more information on this exciting development, see Communities.

Posted 31st March 2010

sigma – the Centre for Excellence in university-wide mathematics and statistics support – intends to award two personal prizes to individuals who have made significant contributions in the field of mathematics and statistics support.   These prizes will be awarded at this year’s CETL-MSOR conference dinner on Monday 6th September.

Prizes and Eligibility

• One prize of £1000 to an individual employed in a higher education institution (UK or overseas) who has made a sustained contribution to mathematics and/or statistical support – the sigma Outstanding Contributor 2010
• One prize of £1000 to an individual employed in a higher education institution (UK or overseas) who has made a notable contribution  to mathematics and/or statistical support at an early stage of their career – the sigma Rising Star 2010 

Nominations are now being sought and full details (including nomination forms) can be found at http://www.sigma-cetl.ac.uk/prizes

Posted 22nd March 2010

mathtutor has been upgraded with support from JISC.

Bridging the gap from school to university study, mathtutor uses video tutorials and accompanying summary texts to cover more than eighty mathematics topics arranged in seven subject areas.  Work through the materials at your own pace. Practice using the excercises and test your knowledge with the diagnostics.