Responding to the Changes in the Teaching and Learning of Mechanics in Schools

Stephen Lee

Martin Harrison

Carol Robinson

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Overview

BackgroundSchools’ Perspective

Questionnaire – Schools

Undergraduates’ BackgroundQuestionnaire – Students

University PerspectiveQuestionnaire/ InterviewsGood Practice

Summary of Findings

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Background

Maths Learning Support CentreStudents need help with mechanics

Realisation Some engineering students have not studied mechanics at school

Anecdotal evidenceStatistics – easy option

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Background - Changes

Changes in Post-16 Qualifications in 2000, including mathematics

Curriculum 2000 (Mathematics)2 or 3 applied modules (need not include mechanics)

September (2004) 2 applied modules

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Schools’ Perspective

Questionnaire: To ascertain availability and uptake of mechanics modules

January 2004Posted to 500 ‘schools’ (18%)242 replies13,754 AS/A2-level maths students

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Schools’ Perspective

Availability of applied modules

0 Modules % of Pupils % of Schools

Mechanics 2.62 5.35

Statistics 1.36 2.06

Discrete 43.40 46.09

0 or 1 Module % of Pupils % of Schools

Mechanics 15.83 26.34

Statistics 14.14 21.81

Discrete 79.10 79.01

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0

10

20

30

40

50

60

% o

f st

ud

ents

1 2 3+

Module NumberMechanics

Statistics

Discrete

Schools’ Perspective

Uptake of applied modules

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Undergraduates’ Background

Questionnaire:

To ascertain number of A-level mechanics modules studied

Target groups Engineering, physics, maths

October 2003 and 2004

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Undergraduates’ Background

Results – Maths/Phys/Eng

students

05

101520253035404550

% o

f st

ud

ents

0 1 2 3+

Number of Mechanics Modules Studied

2003 (389)2004 (703)

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Undergraduates’ Background

Students Year

Category Numbers

No Mechanics

(%)

At Most M1 (%)

All 389 13 37 2003-04 Engineers 318 9 31

All 703 13 39 2004-05 Engineers 548 8 30

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University Perspective

Online questionnaire created:http://www.mathscentre.ac.uk/stephen/questionnaire.html

Gathered information on:Monitoring A-levels

Students knowledge on arrival

Mechanics teaching and support

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University Perspective

33 Replies

27 Departments

19 Universities

Aston, Bangor, Birmingham, Brighton,

Bristol, Cardiff, Coventry, Essex, Exeter,

Huddersfield, Imperial, Loughborough,

Manchester, Napier, Newcastle, Nottingham,

Plymouth, Strathclyde, Ulster

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University Perspective

In our sample:

50% of the academics monitor changes in A-level maths

1 in 5 of the departments check students maths A-level modules

58% of the academics assumed a knowledge of mechanics that their students would not necessarily have

2 out of 3 departments offer varying degrees of additional support

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University Perspective

“We as an engineering faculty are

reviewing the whole issue and

would be in the market for

materials - it is a real problem and

is eating up resources.”

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Follow-upInterviews

QE responses from 33 engineering academics

Follow-up interviews with:8 academics

8 departments

5 universities

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InterviewsGood Practice

Obtain students’ knowledge of mechanics on arrival

Questionnaire

Diagnostic testing

Engage the students

Labs

Problem Based Learning

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InterviewsGood Practice

First university module in mechanics

Review contentLook at structure

Consider streamingLow staff:student ratio

Support the learning• Resource Centre

Reinforce learning via periodic assessment

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Summary

Schools5% offer no mechanics

26% offer at most M1

43% of all pupils study M1

(not necessarily engineers)

LU Engineers Approx 8% have studied no mechanics modules

Approx 30% have studied at most M1

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Summary

Questionnaire to academics33 Replies 27 Departments19 Universities

Follow-up Interviews8 Academics 8 departments5 Universities

Good Practice

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What does it mean?

Large numbers of students’ entering with little or no knowledge of mechanics

Serious consideration has to be given to a first university course in mechanics

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Contact Details

Stephen Lee

Mathematics Education Centre

Loughborough University

Leicestershire

LE11 3TU

S.Lee2@lboro.ac.uk

http://mec.lboro.ac.uk

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Syllabi M1/M2 OCR

M1 (2637)Force as a vectorEquilibrium of a particleNewton’s Laws of motion Linear momentumKinematics of motion in a straight line

M2 (2638)Centre of massEquilibrium of a rigid bodyMotion of a projectileUniform motion in a circleCoefficient of restitution and impulseEnergy, work and power

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Syllabi M3/M4 OCR

M3 (2639)Equilibrium of rigid bodies in contactElastic strings and springsImpulse and momentum in two dimensionsMotion in a vertical circleLinear motion under a variable forceSimple Harmonic Motion

M4 (2640)Relative motionCentre of massMoment of inertia Rotation of a rigid bodyStability and oscillations