Math-Bridge

Math-Bridge is an e-learning system for mathematics based on the adaptive web-based ActiveMath learning environment. As part of the eContentPlus program it is approved and co-financed by the European Union.^[1] The Math-Bridge project represents a transnational approach to reduce the number of drop-out-students in academic fields that heavily rely on mathematics, such as engineering or physics.^[1][2] Responsible for the coordination of the project is Deutsches Forschungszentrum für Künstliche Intelligenz (DFKI^[3]). The project started in May 2009 and will end in January 2012. The estimated costs will amount to € 3.6 Million Euros, half of which is financed by the European Union.^[4][1]

The homepage

A book page

Problem: Lack of mathematical competency

In order to stimulate economic growth and to stay internationally competitive, most modern European countries rely on a steady supply of highly skilled workers. This is especially true concerning occupations that require profound knowledge of technology and natural science. Yet recent years have seen more students enrolling and graduating in the fields of social science, business and law than in engineering, manufacturing and construction.^[5][6] One possible explanation for this observation is seen in the high mathematical competency level that these disciplines require. During the post-secondary education process students often discover a mathematical knowledge gap of varying size when confronted with the new content of their field of study.^[7] Unsystemised and untailored attempts to close these gaps often result in failure, making the student change his/her field of study or drop-out for good; thereby generating high failure statistics, which in turn might deter upcoming students from enrolling in these fields in the first place.

Project goals

"The European Project Math-Bridge (...) aims at providing technical and pedagogical support for mathematical bridging courses."^[8] The goal hereby is to combine the content of European bridging courses, provided by the participating partners, and make the result accessible to users all over Europe.^[9]

Project features

Remedial content from several European countries is presented to the user in a unified way. The user can choose between several different languages for presentation.

Math-Bridge can adapt the presented remedial content to the competencies, language, and the field-of-study of a student.

Project partners

• DFKI in Saarbrücken ( http://www.dfki.de )
• Saarland University
• Tampere University of Technology
• University of Kassel
• University of Paderborn
• Open Universiteit (Netherlands) ( http://www.ou.nl )
• Eötvös Loránd University Budapest ( http://www.elte.hu )
• University of Vienna
• Université Montpellier 2
• Universidad Carlos III de Madrid
• ERGOSIGN GmbH ( http://www.ergosign.de )

References

Notes

1. ^ ^{a b c} European Comission (2010), Math-Bridge: European Remedial Content for Mathematics, Europe's Information Society: http://ec.europa.eu/information_society/apps/projects/factsheet/index.cfm?project_ref=ECP-2008-EDU-428046
2. ^ Math-Bridge (2010), Analysis of Demand: http://www.math-bridge.org/analysis_of_demand.php
3. ^ German Research Centre for Artificial Intelligence
4. ^ Institut de Mathématiques et de Modélisation de Montpellier (2010), Bridging courses in mathematics, Département Enseignement des Mathématiques: http://www.math.univ-montp2.fr/SPIP/-Math-Bridge,4883-
5. ^ European Commission (2009), Europe in Figures, Eurostat Yearbook 2009, p. 191 f
6. ^ European Comission (2010), Europe in Figures, Eurostat Yearbook 2010, S. 263–265f
7. ^ LTSO, Math-Bridge – Objectives: http://www.cen-ltso.net/%28S%28ytuld1fxqueten2vrkod1uqa%29%29/Main.aspx?put=1103&AspxAutoDetectCookieSupport=1
8. ^ Biehler, R., Fischer, P. R., Hochmuth, R., Wassong, Th. (2010), Self-regulated learning and self assessment in online mathematics bridging courses, Universities Kassel and Paderborn: http://mathbridge.math.uni-paderborn.de/fileadmin/Mathematik/Mathbridge/publications/Cerme_WG15_PosterProposal_BiehlerEtAl.pdf
9. ^ Biehler, R., Fischer, P. R., Hochmuth, R., Jeuring, J, Wassong, Th. (2010), How to support students learning in mathematical bridging-courses using an ITS? Remedial scenarios in the European project Math-Bridge, Universities Kassel, Paderborn and Open Universiteit of the Netherlands: http://www.cs.uu.nl/research/techreps/repo/CS-2010/2010-023.pdf

External links

• OpenMath
• Math-Bridge official website
• EC Europa.eu Math-Bridge: European Remedial Content for Mathematics Europe Information Society.
• eLearningEuropa.info Math-Bridge is an innovative and adaptive web-based environment for learning mathematics.