A Study of First Year Students Mathematics Learning Experiences at NUI Maynooth

We consider the factors that impact on student success in First Year Science mathematics courses at the National University of Ireland Maynooth. These factors include previous performance in the subject, attendance at lectures and tutorials, the number of assignments submitted, attendance at the Mathematics Support Centre, and the use of online resources by students. The results of this study will be used to identify behaviour patterns that lead to successful completion of first year courses. The findings will help Mathematics Departments to target support initiatives in areas which are most likely to improve student learning. An initiative that involved informing students of the evidence from an earlier study will also be analysed. In previous research, using data from the academic year 2007/2008, we showed that students who avail of extra mathematics support usually perform better in their end of year exams than those who do not avail of support. We also found that the centre was most beneficial to students with weaker mathematical backgrounds. These results were used when encouraging students to visit the Mathematics Support Centre at the beginning of the academic year 2008/2009. We will report on the success of this initiative.