Upgrading Mathematical Skills for Professional Studies: The Role of Interactive Tasks and Self-Direction in Online Courses
Porras, P.; Hurme, J.; Lähteenmäki, H. (2024)
European Society for Engineering Education SEFI
2024
Julkaisun pysyvä osoite on
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi-fe202501236441
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi-fe202501236441
Tiivistelmä
This paper presents an open online course aimed at those Not in Education,
Employment, or Training (NEET). The course aims to give school dropouts,
unemployed, and immigrants the opportunity to return or to enrol on studies. There are plenty of labour market training available for unemployed, but this does not necessarily contribute to further studies and thus improve one's own social position. Most entrance examinations often emphasise mathematical competence, which, especially for school dropouts and for the unemployed, may have remained at a low level or been forgotten over the years. This online course under development aims to address this shortcoming. As the target group is those currently outside the labour force, special attention must be paid to promoting learning/studying skills in the design of the online course. Students' self-direction skills are tested and based on their results, they are given tips on how to improve different aspects, as taking responsibility for one's own study is essential in an online course. In addition, the technical implementation of the course must be clear, and the instructions given on the tasks sufficient. The target group may not be as experienced as typical online course students, in which case even minor adversities may lead to dropping out. To maintain interest, the tasks are designed to be interactive, and they also provide feedback when doing the task, not only after the return.
Employment, or Training (NEET). The course aims to give school dropouts,
unemployed, and immigrants the opportunity to return or to enrol on studies. There are plenty of labour market training available for unemployed, but this does not necessarily contribute to further studies and thus improve one's own social position. Most entrance examinations often emphasise mathematical competence, which, especially for school dropouts and for the unemployed, may have remained at a low level or been forgotten over the years. This online course under development aims to address this shortcoming. As the target group is those currently outside the labour force, special attention must be paid to promoting learning/studying skills in the design of the online course. Students' self-direction skills are tested and based on their results, they are given tips on how to improve different aspects, as taking responsibility for one's own study is essential in an online course. In addition, the technical implementation of the course must be clear, and the instructions given on the tasks sufficient. The target group may not be as experienced as typical online course students, in which case even minor adversities may lead to dropping out. To maintain interest, the tasks are designed to be interactive, and they also provide feedback when doing the task, not only after the return.