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MathPatch:. A way of supporting teaching quantitative concepts in a geoscience class. Highline Community College. Open Admissions 15,000 students 63% Female, average age 25, Majority non-white 85% enter with below college level mathematics skills (Intermediate algebra). The Goal:.
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MathPatch: A way of supporting teaching quantitative concepts in a geoscience class
Highline Community College • Open Admissions • 15,000 students • 63% Female, average age 25, Majority non-white • 85% enter with below college level mathematics skills (Intermediate algebra)
The Goal: Make Geology 101 more quantitative
The problems: • No appropriate pre-requisite • Math level not a predictor of achievement in either quantitative performance or math performance • 10 week quarter – not much time to do additional instruction
The solution • MathPatch • A 1-credit course that meets 2 times per week for the first half of the quarter • Required co-requisite, but students can “challenge” the course or request a waiver based on pre-test. • Teaches needed background right before it is needed in class. • Run since 2003
The Results • Increased quantitative content for all instructors • Increased retention (73% → 85%) • Improved performance in geology class • ------ • Reduced enrollment? • Difficulty in scheduling