Description
The project is focused on setting collaboration between Masaryk University, Faculty of Economics and Administration (FEAMU) and University of Agder (UiA) represented by MATRIC in running Mathematics and Statistics Support Centres (MSSC). The aim of the project is a transfer from expertise of MATRIC to newly established MSSC at MU. Both countries are struggling with serious decline in students’ mastery of basic mathematical skills and levels of preparation for mathematics-based courses. As mathematics underpins many university subjects and quantitative methods are becoming increasingly essential in all disciplines (economics, engineering, biology) for many students mathematics and statistics poses a barrier to successful study. The key role of MSSC is to enable all students to achieve their full potential. There is no tradition in running MSSC in the Czech Republic, whereas MATRIC is leading innovation, research and excellence in mathematics teaching.
Summary of project results
Solved project succeeded in focusing on setting collaboration between Masaryk University, Faculty of Economics and Administration (FEAMU) and University of Agder (UiA) represented by MATRIC. The overall reached target is a new Mathematics and Statistics Support Centres (MSSC) running now on the Masaryk University's Faculty of Economics and Administration. Within the cooperation between FEA MU and the University of Agder a transfer of expertise from MATRIC to newly established MSSC at MU was successful. The newly established center attracted students from not just a FEA MU, but also from other faculties or and departments on the whole university. The MSSC on the FEA MU is currently well establishing unit with long term perspective of supporting the knowledge in statistics with up to date teaching methods. As mathematics underpins many university subjects and quantitative methods are becoming increasingly essential in all disciplines (economics, engineering, biology) for many students mathematics and statistics poses a barrier to successful study. The long term mission of the MSSC thus remains the same and has proven that project itself was clearly and correctly targeted. Cooperation with Norwegian partner has enabled to successfully implement the current study materials and instruments in the area of statistics and are currently in full use in the MSSC unit. All planned project target have been reached.
Summary of bilateral results
The very major benefit was that for students were opened access to all supportive materials at one spot including newly created study materials with the help of the project partner. The presence of at least one trained tutor was guaranteed at least 4 hours daily 5 days a week. Unlimited free access to on-line study materials on newly established Support Centre website is currently provided and fully accessible. Moreover, the Center‘s room was opened for students to drop in and study on their own or with a help of advanced students at any time. Tutors skilled in statistics may helped students with appropriate statistical tools needed in their bachelor or master theses. The project partner - UiA was chosen, because it hosts one of the four Centers of Excellence in Education in Norway–MatRIC (Centre for Research, Innovation and Coordination of Mathematics Teaching) which focuses on mathematics teaching and learning within the study programmes of other subjects such as engineering, natural sciences, economics and teacher education. Involvement of this project partner thus has brought the high added value to the project solution.