A Plan for Recruitment and Retention in Mathematics and

Computer Science

Dr. Lisa Lister and Dr. John Polhill Bloomsburg University of PennsylvaniaNovember 3, 2001

Recruitment:

A three phase process

Phase 1:

High School Contests

Math Contest

• Quiz Bowl• Brainteasers• Game of 24-points

Programming Contest

• 8-12 programs to be written in time allowed

Phase 2:

Open House

Open House

• Campus Visits• Area Visits

Phase 3:

High School Visits

Campus High School Visits

• Tour of campus• 3 presentations• Lunch with majors and faculty

High School Lecture Series

Professors visit local high schools

Presentations: Math and SportsCryptologyPopular Mathematics

Organizer: Dr. Kevin Ferland

Retention Project

Placement Testing

Goals:•Start kids in the right place•Make transition to college easier•Retain majors

Placement Testing

Process:•Dealing with affected departments•Choosing an exam•Making cutoffs•Giving exam•Dealing with the consequences

Self-Paced Precalculus

• An experiment- Comparing Styles – Lecture Format– Computer Based/Self-Paced

• Students “Randomly” Assigned

• Same textbook - Precalculus with Limits (Lial, Hornsby, Schneider)

Lecture Format

•3 sections Fall 2001 •1 section Spring 2001 •Serves as Control

Computer-Based/Self-Paced

• Addison-Wesley - Coursecompass/MathXL• Students work problems on the computer at

their own pace• Professor as guide• Tests - software generated• Fall 2001 - 2 sections, Spring 2002 - 1

section

Methods of Comparison

• Common Final to all Sections

• Student Satisfaction Survey

• % Retained Through Calculus Sequence

• % Retained in Major

Apparent Advantages/Disadvantages of the Computer-Based Course

• Advantages– Focus on trouble areas – Early completion – Better Students not Slowed by Others

• Disadvantages– Procrastinators at Major Risk– Outside Comfort Zone– Some Loss of Personal Touch?

First-Year Seminar Course for Math/CS Majors

• First Year Being Offered

• Aimed at Retention

• Get to Know Students Well

• Help! I am OVERWHELMED!!!

Content of Course

• Social Activities (Picnic, Day at the Bloomsburg Fair, trip to Washington D.C.)

• Exercises for Getting to Know University• Exercises for Getting to Know Department• Study and Survival Skills • Mathematics• Guest Speakers from Industry

Tutoring Mentoring Center

• Choosing Tutors• Training Tutors• Lab hours: 50+ hours a week

Group Advisement Sessions

• Where a typical student should be in their college career at this time

• Upper level and special topic courses offered

• Changes in curriculum• General Education Suggestions

Social Activities

• Picnic for majors• Brunch for graduating seniors• Two clubs• Planned trips• Seminars

Contact Information

• Dr. John B. Polhill

• jpolhill@bloomu.edu

• http://facstaff.bloomu.edu/jpolhill