Creating mathematical learning resources---combining audio and visual components

Abstract

Students commencing science and engineering degrees at the University of Wollongong are given mathematics skills tests in the first and fourth weeks of session. An evaluation of the results from these tests indicate that the majority of students' basic mathematical skills were insufficient to adequately support the prescribed first year mathematics curriculum. To address this problem a pilot study was set up to develop video solutions. These solutions permit students to see the development of each solution in a step-by-step manner. An audio commentary on each worked solution assists learning by providing students with an explanation of the developing solution. Two methods of video capture were investigated. The first used eBeam, a system to capture pen strokes from a whiteboard. The second method used a video camera mounted on a copy stand. We describe the process by which the video solutions were recorded and describe the educational environment in which students accessed them. A preliminary analysis of the impact of this tool on the achievement of students is also presented.