Mathematics
Mission
All OIT students will receive a basic mathematics education expected of a college graduate. Those needing it will receive further instruction in support of their major courses of study.
Educational Objectives
Individuals having completed their required math courses at OIT will have an understanding of the fundamental skills of mathematics, and will understand and be able to apply mathematical concepts as needed in their major courses and daily lives.
Expected Student Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of their required math courses, students will be able to
- apply mathematical concepts and principles to perform symbolic computations
- solve applied problems
- create, use and analyze graphical representations of mathematical relationships
- demonstrate mathematical knowledge and understanding
Summary of Student Learning Outcomes
During the 2007-08 academic year, the Mathematics faculty formally assessed the student learning outcomes summarized below. Additional details can be found in the attached assessment report and in department assessment records.
Outcome 1: Apply mathematical concepts and principles to perform symbolic computations.
For Outcome 1, results were not felt to be as good as we would like to see. It is felt that students need to spend more quality time on their own working with mathematical concepts. Members of the department have, and will continue to, experiment with ways to motivate students to spend this time. Several department members are currently using WeBWorK, an online homework system, and some data has been gathered relating to its use. That data can be found in the Math Department assessment binder, kept by the department assessment coordinator.
Outcome 3: Interpret mathematical results.
Results for Outcome 3 were extremely varied. The overall feeling of the department is that student skills in this area are neither outstanding nor disappointing. It is clear that more care will need to be taken when assessing this in the future.
The area that we feel needs most attention at this point is further refinement and reorganization of our learning outcomes. In retrospect we think that Outcomes 1 and 3 above should actually be individual criteria under some broader outcomes. The department has determined a plan for revising our outcomes, and we will do that in a one-day retreat during the 2008 Fall Convocation. Greater consistency in assessing across courses and levels will receive greater attention in the future as well.