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MATH EMPORIUM BOOSTS STUDENT SUCCESS Freshmen who need to boost their math proficiency are now finding the help they need through a newly created Mathematics Emporium. One of CSU’s Student Success Initiatives and funded by a $700,000 President’s Initiative Grant, the emporium is a learning resource center that combines interactive software with tutorial support. Located on the second floor of the Michael Schwartz Library, the emporium is equipped with 110 computers and desks, set up in clusters of six. Students visit the emporium three times a week for 65-minute regularly scheduled class sessions and can work from home as well. 18
CSUOHIO.EDU Cleveland State University
Delving into a curriculum of 13 math modules, students first watch a 10-minute video explaining a mathematics principle, and then tackle online homework exercises to demonstrate their understanding of the material. Immediate online feedback enhances student engagement while faculty and student tutors monitor progress and provide one-on-one support as needed. Students work at their own pace, can skip a module if they score 80 percent or higher on a pre-test, and move on to the next module when they score 80 percent or higher on a posttest. The goal is to complete all 13 modules in a semester; however, students who do not finish can return to the emporium the following semester and pick up where they left off. As part of CSU’s general education requirement, all freshmen must take two mathematics courses. Students whose ACT or placement test scores indicate they are not
quite ready for college-level mathematics are enrolled at the emporium. “The emporium learning model lets students test out of the mathematics they already know, move quickly through mathematics that just needs a refresher, and spend time and indepth study with mathematics they truly need to master before moving on to college-level courses,” says John Holcomb, professor and chair of mathematics. A summer pilot program at CSU and emporiums at other schools have produced impressive gains in student learning. “We expect the emporium will boost student success through improved performance in mathematics courses, while also impacting retention and graduation rates,” added Dr. Holcomb.