How are we progressing with academic numeracy at regional universities? Perspectives from first-year undergraduate studies

Geoff Woolcott; Linda Galligan; Robert Whannell; Margaret Marshman; Taryn Axelsen; Jelena Schmalz; Nargiz Sultanova

doi:10.1007/s13394-020-00312-3

Back

How are we progressing with academic numeracy at regional universities? Perspectives from first-year undergraduate studies

Journal article

Peer reviewed

How are we progressing with academic numeracy at regional universities? Perspectives from first-year undergraduate studies

Geoff Woolcott, Linda Galligan, Robert Whannell, Margaret Marshman, Taryn Axelsen, Jelena Schmalz and Nargiz Sultanova

Mathematics Education Research Journal, Vol.33, pp.451-468

2021

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13394-020-00312-3

Files and links (1)

url

https://doi.org/10.1007/s13394-020-00312-3View

Published Version

Abstract

academic numeracy

undergraduate mathematics

regional universities

attrition and retention

student support services

This study provides an overview of the support provided for academic numeracy for first-year students across six Australian regional universities. Survey analysis of university academics provided an overview of the approaches used in academic numeracy in diverse cohorts. Further investigations via semi-structured interviews and secondary data were performed, providing details of the level of academic numeracy required in the subjects offered, identification of at-risk students and strategies for student support, and student responses to service provision. A case study at one university provided a more detailed view of the factors influencing attrition in first-year academic numeracy subjects. This case study highlighted issues related to a one-size-fits-all approach and findings argue for a more nuanced cohort-based approach that combines conventional statistical analysis with analysis that provides a more detailed view of complex scenarios. The study suggests that while support services are not responding well to the issue of attrition, better targeting individual student support may lead to improvements.

Details

Title: How are we progressing with academic numeracy at regional universities? Perspectives from first-year undergraduate studies
Authors: Geoff Woolcott (Author) - Southern Cross University
Linda Galligan (Author) - University of Southern Queensland
Robert Whannell (Author) - University of New England
Margaret Marshman (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast - School of Education
Taryn Axelsen (Author) - Southern Cross University
Jelena Schmalz (Author) - University of New England
Nargiz Sultanova (Author) - Federation University Australia
Publication details: Mathematics Education Research Journal, Vol.33, pp.451-468
Publisher: Springer Netherlands
Date published: 2021
DOI: 10.1007/s13394-020-00312-3
ISSN: 1033-2170
Organisation Unit: School of Education - Legacy; School of Education and Tertiary Access; University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland
Language: English
Record Identifier: 99450810702621
Output Type: Journal article

Metrics

97 Record Views

2 Times Cited - Web of Science

InCites Highlights

These are selected metrics from InCites Benchmarking & Analytics tool, related to this output

Collaboration types: Domestic collaboration
Web Of Science research areas: Education, Scientific Disciplines

UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

This output has contributed to the advancement of the following goals:

Source: InCites