Effective support for reflective writing: learning from improvers

Project leader(s): Cathy SmithCharlotte Lighter
Theme: Access, Participation and Success
Faculty: STEM
Status: Archived
Dates: December 2020 to September 2023

This report focusses on an in‐depth study of 12 students identified as ‘improvers’ in Mathematics Education modules. Thematic analysis of interview data indicated the nature of difficulties in the ways of working and writing required for mathematics education assignments, and the approaches that students considered beneficial in their improvement. The findings from the project have already been incorporated into the production for two new modules. They resulted in the adoption of an integrated approach to assessment, with changes in: assignment design; teaching about writing and modelling ways of thinking. Although not attributable to one cause, successful student outcomes show the potential of making use of student knowledge in module design. The lessons are now informing work towards embedding employability skills of communication and reflection into other Maths & Stats module assignments.