CETL-MSOR 2024 Conference

Dr Eabhnat Ní Fhloinn, Associate Professor in School of Mathematical Sciences and Director of the Mathematics Learning Centre, Dublin City University.

• Dr. Eabhnat Ní Fhloinn is an Associate Professor in the School of Mathematical Sciences and the Director of DCU Maths Learning Centre. She has undertaken this role since 2007; prior to this, she was Manager of DIT Maths Learning Centre for two years. Her research interests lie in the area of mathematics education, with particular focus on the transition from post-primary mathematics to higher education; mathematics support in higher education; mathematics diagnostic testing of incoming university students; mathematics for engineers; and assessment in mathematics. Dr. Ní Fhloinn was the inaugural Chairperson of the Irish Mathematics Learning Support Network (IMLSN) from 2009 – 2011 and served as PRO on the IMLSN committee until 2020. She is a member of CASTeL, the Centre for the Advancement of STEM Teaching and Learning in DCU and became an Advance HE Senior Fellow in 2023.
• Title of Talk: Mathematics Learning Support in Ireland: Do we know it Inside Out?
• Abstract: It is over 20 years since the first Mathematics Learning Support (MLS) Centre opened in the University of Limerick, where we now find ourselves celebrating CETL-MSOR 2024. During this time, MLS has expanded and become viewed as a mainstream support service in many Higher Education Institutes. The Irish Mathematics Learning Support Network (IMLSN) has played a pivotal role in this development, and in bringing together practitioners and researchers from around the country, much as other similar networks have done in the UK, Scotland and Germany. In this talk, we consider the historical challenges faced by MLS in Ireland, and look at how what we learned from these, and explore any new challenges facing us in the coming years. We ask the question - after more than twenty years of MLS in Ireland, do we know it inside out?

Dr Rafael De Andrade Moral, Associate Professor of Statistics, Maynooth University.

• Dr Rafael De Andrade Moral is an Associate Professor of Statistics at Maynooth University. With a background in Biology and a PhD in Statistics from the University of São Paulo, Rafael has a deep passion for teaching and conducting research in statistical modelling applied to Ecology, Wildlife Management, Agriculture, and Environmental Science. As director of the Theoretical and Statistical Ecology Group, Rafael brings together a community of researchers who use mathematical and statistical tools to better understand the natural world. As an alternative teaching strategy, Rafael has been producing music videos and parodies to promote Statistics in social media and in the classroom. His personal webpage: https://rafamoral.github.io
• Title of Talk: Notes and Tricks for Teaching Statistics using Music and Magic
• Abstract: In this talk, I will share my recent experience using musical parodies and magic tricks to teach different statistical concepts. I will draw parallels between my lecturing experience in Brazil and in Ireland, and discuss how I use general pedagogy and active methodologies to encourage student participation. I will also discuss successful approaches, as well as other approaches still under development. I will showcase some of these activities in the context of explaining the concepts of conditional probability, p-values, and hypothesis tests. Finally, I will present the tools and equipment I currently use to produce music videos to teach Statistics and give tips on what I think has helped improve the quality of the materials I have been producing.

Closing Plenary and Reflections

Dr Joe Kyle, The Department of Mathematics, University of Birmingham.

• Formerly Director of Undergraduate Studies for the School of Mathematics at the University of Birmingham, Dr. Joe Kyle then acted as an Advisor in Mathematics to the (then) newly established STEM Education Centre at that institution. He has also spent time as an Academic Associate in Mathematics, Statistics and Operational Research (MSOR) with the Higher Education Academy. For many years, he was Editor in Chief for the Higher Education Academy Journal MSOR Connections and sat on the Editorial Board of the Oxford University Press Journal Teaching Mathematics and its Applications. A pure mathematician by background, Joe has also worked for the Open University and engaged in a number of mathematical education projects with colleagues there.
• Joe has, in partnership with Peter Kahn, edited Effective Learning and Teaching in Mathematics and its Applications. In collaboration with many sigma colleagues he is also a co-editor of Transitions in Undergraduate Mathematics Education. Joe is regularly invited to contribute to national and international conferences and regularly delivers (with others) workshops on teaching and learning for new and experienced UK academics. Current interests include problem-solving in MSOR, flexible learning, and working with students as partners.
• Title of Talk: “Beyond the Grave Morrice”
• Abstract: Casting a glance backwards as well as looking into the future (as far as that is possible), this talk will take upon itself the task of responding to and reacting to developments reported this year at the Limerick conference.

  As we struggle to harness the power of generative AI (or is it we who are being harnessed?) we look back to tried and tested axioms that may guide us on the new adventures ahead. And, as problem-solving is at the heart of mathematics, and problems are at the heart of problem-solving, there may be the odd puzzle to keep us all awake.