THE MATH YOU NEED, WHEN YOU NEED IT: HELPING MORE THAN JUST THE UNDER-PREPARED STUDENT

“The Math You Need, When You Need It” (TMYN) modules are effective at supporting student learning of quantitative concepts for a diverse range of quantitative abilities. TMYN modules are asynchronous online tutorials that include quantitative topics such as unit conversions, rearranging equations, plotting points, estimating a best-fit line, calculating density and determining slopes, each with sample problems in a variety of geologic contexts. Unlike many support materials that typically target or are designed for particular sub-populations (e.g. additional reading for high-perfoming students or tutoring to support students lacking basic skills), TMYN is broadly effective at improving the wide range of student mathematical skills found at most higher education institutions. In almost all geoscience courses that used TMYN modules, the average post-test score was significantly greater than the pre-test scores. Moreover, disaggregation based on pre-test scores shows that, although students in the lowest quartile increased the greatest amount (~50 percentage points on average), students in the top three quartiles also saw increases, typically between 10 and 30 percentage points. Even students who performed very well compared to their peers on the pretest increased their quantitative skills significantly. Our results suggest that TMYN is effective at improving the mathematical skills of more than just the most under-prepared students and should be utilized to supplement all students’ learning.