Increasing Student Success: Redesigning Mathematics
From working with large numbers of students, faculty and institutions over the past 10 years, NCAT has learned what works and what does not work in improving student achievement in both developmental and college-level mathematics. The pedagogical techniques leading to greater student success are equally applicable to both developmental and college-level mathematics. The underlying principle is simple: Students learn math by doing math, not by listening to someone talk about doing math. Interactive computer software combined with personalized, on-demand assistance and mandatory student participation are the key elements of success. NCAT calls this model for success, the Emporium Model, named after what the model’s originator, Virginia Tech, called its initial course redesign.
Outcomes
- Increasing Student Success in Developmental and College-Level Mathematics
A summary of NCAT’s achievements in redesigning mathematics.
- By the Numbers: Increasing Student Success in Mathematics
A chart summarizing the impact of redesign on student success in nine college-level math courses and 13 developmental math courses.
- By the Numbers: Reducing Instructional Costs in Mathematics
A chart summarizing the impact of redesign on instructional costs in nine college-level math courses and 13 developmental math courses.
Articles
- Math Lectures: An Oxymoron?
An article by Carol Twigg that summarizes what NCAT has learned about improving student success in mathematics.
- Developmental Courses: An Oxymoron?
An article by Carol Twigg that describes a redesign program in developmental math and English conducted by NCAT in partnership with the Tennessee Board of Regents.
- Increasing Success in Developmental Math: Following the NCAT Playbook
An article by Carol Twigg that describes an outstanding redesign project in developmental math at Cleveland State Community College in Tennessee.
- Increasing Success in Developmental Math: SMART Math at Jackson State Community College
An article by Carol Twigg that describes an outstanding redesign project in developmental math at Jackson State Community College in Tennessee.
Planning Resources
Download PDF of the followng documents:
- Redesign Scholars
A list of NCAT Redesign Scholars in mathematics with contact information.
- How to Structure a Math Emporium: Frequently Asked Questions
An article by NCAT's Redesign Scholars that codifies many of NCAT’s lessons learned about successful mathematics redesign.
- Six Principles of Successful Course Redesign in Mathematics
A summary of the redesign techniques that are essential to improving student learning while reducing instructional costs.
- Four Models for Assessing Student Learning
A summary of the most effective and efficient ways to assess student learning.
- Cost Reduction Strategies
A summary of the most effective strategies that can reduce instructional costs.
- Things You Ought To Consider
Four innovative ideas to consider in redesigning remedial/developmental mathematics.
- Five Critical Implementation Issues
A summary of the most common implementation issues encountered by the projects in the Program in Course Redesign.
- Planning Checklist
A checklist to review the final course redesign plan.
