No maths is an island

While fewer children may be studying maths at school, the Open University’s free taster courses are bucking the trend, writes PETER RANSCOMBE

LOVE it or hate it, mathematics affects every aspect of our lives, from the new digital music player in your pocket to the most basic physics of the atom. Yet fewer Scottish school children appear to be studying maths at Higher, with a further 3 per cent drop in 2006.

But are people returning to maths in later life? New figures from the Open University (OU) in Scotland reveal that, even though some people may have struggled with maths at school, they are taking up the subject when they are older.

Openlearn, the OU’s website offering free online “tastes” of its courses, lists maths as one of the most popular options. It offers 25 units on mathematics and statistics, alongside other tasters, including computing, science and nature.

“Mathematics really is the new cool,” says Sally Crighton, who chairs the open mathematics course. “It does take practice, but the thrill of getting things right and suddenly seeing the light when you have been puzzled is really worth it.

“Internet shopping, mobile phones and MP3 players – things that we all take for granted – actually would not exist were it not for the mathematics which has been developing over the centuries.

“From seeing the world though new mathematical perspectives to helping your children to do their maths homework, there is certainly something for everyone in this exciting and dynamic subject,” she adds.

If students get hooked then there are other entry-level courses available. From penalty shoot-outs to puzzles and poetry, the short course Starting With Maths (Y162) uses a range of examples to help illustrate the maths being taught.

The module (Open Mathematics MU120) reveals some of the maths found in music and rainbows, and teaches its students how to use a graphic calculator.

Christina Napier signed up to some of the OU’s maths courses when she decided she wanted to train as a teacher.

“I hadn’t done any maths since I had left school, so it was quite daunting,” she says. “But I did enjoy it – I enjoyed understanding things. The tutorials were great fun, and the tutors made the subject very exciting. The tutors don’t look down their noses at you – they appreciate the person could be an expert in a different field.”

Although Napier decided not to become a teacher, her interest in maths continued. Her OU studies began in 2002 with You, Your Computer And The Net, Using Mathematics and Web Basics: Design, Development And Management. The following year, she took up two modules: Exploring Mathematics and Computing: An Object Oriented Approach.

Napier’s aim is now to gain a Bachelor of Science honours (BSc) (Open) degree: her current modules are Graphs, Networks And Design, and Relational Databases: Theory And Practice.

As well as learning more about mathematics and computing, Napier – who is now a student support office at Edinburgh University – also met her husband at an OU maths tutorial.

“We knew each other for about six months before anything happened,” she says. “We tried to keep it quiet! I wasn’t working and I was sitting at home watching TV – I thought it would be a great way of meeting people.”

If students get hooked on maths following the free taster units then funding is available. Bursaries of £100 are available to help everyone with the cost of many of the OU’s undergraduate maths, computing, science and technology courses, while those from households with an income of under £30,00 per year could be eligible for £200.

More than 14,000 part time students around Scotland use the OU, which accounts for 41 per cent of all part time undergraduate students in the country.

As well as helping students to become more confident with numbers, the Open Mathematics module allows budding mathematicians to understand maps, prices, earnings and population growth.

“Students see their confidence in mathematics grow as the course progresses, and they begin to enjoy using and applying mathematics,” explains Crighton.

“Some are so inspired they study further courses towards a certificate, diploma or even a degree in mathematics. Employers need people who are confident with numbers, can think problems through in a logical way and can communicate their ideas clearly. Studying either of these courses gives students a chance to develop these skills and more.”

• The closing date to register for the Starting With Maths course for March is 18 February. For more information about maths and other Open University taster course, visit www.open.ac.uk

A CALCULATED MOVE FOR THE FUTURE
FOR years, Elizabeth Wark dreamed of going back to university to study physics. Yet living in Shetland, and with a young family to look after, conventional university seemed far out of reach. Then Wark, 30, realised not only she could access education through distance learning with the Open University (OU), but she could also dip a toe in the water with an “Openings” course.

Wark, who works part-time and has recently started up a small business with her partner, found that an introductory course in maths, science and technology was the ideal starting point to give her a taste of OU study while still fitting in with her work and family life.

With a young baby to look after, Wark is now doing more short courses, worth ten points, to keep her hand in with her studies until her daughter is older. However, she has not lost her ambition to achieve her degree. If she gains her BSc, Wark is confident it will open up many more opportunities, especially in the fishing or oil industries in Shetland. However, she is already finding that her studies have had some benefits.

“I have more confidence in my own ability now,” she says. “The maths skills have really helped with the bookkeeping, and even gathering data and statistics is helpful.”