1 of 14 Virginia Tech Math Emporium Visit – March 2007
Dec 14, 2015
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A “pod” consists of six workspaces, each with adjoining desk areas.Students ask for assistance by placing the red cup on top of their computer.
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• Started in 1996
• Championed by Mike Williams, Math Professor and (at the time) Director of VT’s IT department
• Initial motivation: Financial crisis at VT
• First course: Matrix Algebra freshman course for Engineering students
• Supported by the National Center for Academic Transformation (NCAT)
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• Completely on-computer/online – no classes except for a short orientation session in the first week of classes
• Considerable cost savings
• Student success and retention somewhat similar to traditional classes; format does not seem very popular with students
• Problem: topics of high conceptual demand (e.g., eigenvalues/eigenvectors)
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• Support personnel (UG and GR students, instructors, professors) available Monday thru Friday from 9 a.m. to midnight.
• Teaching credit formula: 1 TLC = 2 hours on the “floor”.
• One helper for every 24-30 students• Software and coursework developed in-
house.• Needs careful planning – IT, crisis
management protocols, lab has raised floor…
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• Students can work at home on their computer or in the Math Emporium.
• Students can take unlimited un-proctored practice quizzes.
• Frequent deadlines for completion of proctored quizzes and exams to prevent student procrastination.
• Quizzes and Exams are random-generated and multiple choice.
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• As of today the following courses are “taught” in this format:– Matrix Algebra– College Algebra– Precalculus– Calculus for Business and Life Sciences– Next: Mathematics for Architecture
• Considered “worthwhile” when enrollment exceeds 500 students per year.
• Not used for the Engineering Calculus sequence