Dr Carol Robinson, Director of the Mathematics Education Centre, has established a reputation for innovation and impact in engineering mathematics at Loughborough University which recruits many students with a passion for sport. Carol has tapped into this passion and has made sport integral to the teaching of mathematics. In her first year engineering mathematics module, students encounter topics such as the Duckworth-Lewis model for one-day cricket, modeling of the pulse-rate of long-distance runners, javelin throwing, lane-staggers on the athletics track and downhill skiing. Group projects and computer software enable inclusion of realistic problems and prepare students for final year projects and industry.
After just one year, the module pass rate increased from 55% to 94% and has continued at a very high level. Moreover the high standard of student projects is testament to the motivating effect that sports-based problems have engendered (see article on page 7 of this issue for more details).
The impact of this work has spread beyond Loughborough University. Many visitors have been inspired by the work. A BBC producer developed a short video on lane-staggers for teachers. An Irish visitor developed a series of themed worksheets based on mathematics in the Olympic Games. Carol was invited to co-chair the Institute of Mathematics and its Applications first International Conference on Mathematics in Sport.
Carol is also pioneering the use of Electronic Voting Systems (EVS), to enhance and catalyse student engagement during lectures…
Dr Carol Robinson, Director of the Mathematics Education Centre, has established a reputation for innovation and impact in engineering mathematics at Loughborough University which recruits many students with a passion for sport. Carol has tapped into this passion and has made sport integral to the teaching of mathematics. In her first year engineering mathematics module, students encounter topics such as the Duckworth-Lewis model for one-day cricket, modeling of the pulse-rate of long-distance runners, javelin throwing, lane-staggers on the athletics track and downhill skiing. Group projects and computer software enable inclusion of realistic problems and prepare students for final year projects and industry.
After just one year, the module pass rate increased from 55% to 94% and has continued at a very high level. Moreover the high standard of student projects is testament to the motivating effect that sports-based problems have engendered (see article on page 7 of this issue for more details).
The impact of this work has spread beyond Loughborough University. Many visitors have been inspired by the work. A BBC producer developed a short video on lane-staggers for teachers. An Irish visitor developed a series of themed worksheets based on mathematics in the Olympic Games. Carol was invited to co-chair the Institute of Mathematics and its Applications first International Conference on Mathematics in Sport.
Carol is also pioneering the use of Electronic Voting Systems (EVS), to enhance and catalyse student engagement during lectures…
