sigma: Network for excellence in mathematics and statistics support

sigma SE Tutor Training
2015-09-07 10:45 - 15:30 UTC | Kings College, London
The South East hub will be running a free sigma Network Tutor Training event for mathematics and statistics support centres in the hub, and nearby regions, who wish to access sigma training for their tutors. It will be held at Kings College, London on Monday 7th September, and lunch and light refreshments will be provided. The training will be delivered by members of sigma and is based around the sigma guide.
The event will take place in room K0.18 in the King’s building, at the KCL Strand Campus.
Directions: http://www.kcl.ac.uk/campuslife/campuses/strand/Strand.aspx

Further information and reserving places
Further information including room and directions, will be available shortly and a programme can be found by clicking on the following link: Draft Programme -sept 2015.
To book a place please email Noel-Ann Bradshaw (n.bradshaw@gre.ac.uk) with names and dietary requirements (if applicable) of those wanting to attend from your institution.
Who might attend?

New postgraduate tutors
Staff tutors new to providing mathematics and statistics centre support
Centre staff who wish to learn more about how the training is delivered so as to inform local delivery or to help with delivery in the hub in the future.

This training is not suitable for undergraduate students who work for centres but staff training these tutors are very welcome.

2015/16 sigma student intern project funding call closes
2015-08-19 17:00
sigma is pleased to offer funding for the delivery of 6 student internship projects over the academic year of 2015/16. Previously these have been offered as summer internships, however, due to the timing of the end of current project funding, this final year’s intern project funding is being offered for “in-year” projects.
On offer are 6 grants of £2000 for student projects that will run for the equivalent of about 6 weeks full time work (about 220 hours) over the 2015/16 academic year. How the length of the project is constructed is up to the Proposer but this should be clearly outlined in the funding proposal. For example, the project could be constructed to run over a complete term or academic year. The projects will need to be completed and the final report submitted by the end of May 2016.
The grants can only be awarded if the hosting institutions match the funding to provide a second concurrent internship. Our previous experience has shown the real benefit of student interns having a fellow student to work with, even if their projects are separate. These projects are to be undertaken by undergraduate students and there is an expectation that their findings will be presented by the applicant and/or their students at the 2016 CETL-MSOR Conference, which is being hosted by Loughborough University.
Key Dates

Call for proposals Monday 29th June 2015
Closing date for proposals Wednesday 19 August 2015
Successful proposals announced Tuesday 1st September 2015

Please see the attached guidance notes and application form. These are also available at the www.sigma-network.ac.uk website. Please contact Moira Petrie if you have any queries.

sigma Newsletter contributions deadline
2015-08-14 17:00
Contributions for the September issue of the sigma Newsletter are due today. Please contact Janette Matthews.

sigma-sw regional hub meeting: Statistics for non-statisticians
2015-07-07 10:30 - 16:00 | University of Bath
The sigma South West & South Wales is hosting a meeting on ‘Statistics for non-statisticians‘ at the University of Bath on Tuesday 7th July 2015.
Those with a strong quantitative background are often approached to give advice on statistical problems, even though they may have no formal training in statistics. This workshop aims to provide non-statisticians with a guide to commonly encountered statistical concepts and their applications.
There is no charge for attending this event and refreshments and lunch will be provided. For further information about the meeting, including a full schedule of the day, and to register your attendance please see: http://www.bath.ac.uk/study/sigma-sw/events/stats-2015.html

Advanced Techniques in Numbas
2015-07-07 09:30 - 16:00 | Loughborough University
sigma, in conjunction with Newcastle University and the North West and North Wales Hub, is pleased to offer a two day Numbas workshop. Free and open source, Numbas allows the authoring of questions which include randomised content throughout and LaTeX rendering of mathematical notation. Tests provide instant feedback to the student, including rendering of the student’s answers in mathematical notation while they type, and a practice mode which lets students regenerate randomised questions for further practice without starting a new session.
This free event will be held at Loughborough University on 6th and 7th July 2015 and delegates can attend on one or both days, as required.
Day 1: An Introduction to Numbas
The day will provide an introduction to using Numbas, from logging on to the www.mathcentre.ac.uk editor, through selecting questions to make a test, to eventually writing your own questions.
Day 2: Advanced techniques in Numbas
The day will allow help with specific queries as well as demonstrating more advanced techniques. The focus of the day will be to allow delegates to work on their own Numbas projects, with help available from the Numbas team. It will include a session on good question-writing practice as well as a session on enabling collaboration using Numbas (database organisation, managing versions and changes, documentation) and trying out collaboration techniques (review each other’s questions, tag existing questions, triage existing questions into “ready to use” and “has problems”/”doesn’t work”).
The registration form for this event can be found at: https://lboro.onlinesurveys.ac.uk/numbas-workshop . Registration closes on 26th June 2015.
If you are planning on attending both days, please note that we are unable to provide free accommodation for this event but can signpost options for you so if you require accommodation, please contact Moira Petrie (m.g.petrie@lboro.ac.uk).

An Introduction to Numbas
2015-07-06 09:30 - 16:00 | Loughborough University

Closing date for Expressions of Interest for Pocket Guide to Mathematical Resources for Support Tutors
2015-06-30 17:00
Feedback from members of the community has resulted in this call for expressions of interest in working with us to produce a “Pocket Guide to Mathematical Resources for Support Tutors”. The purpose of The Guide will be to give tutors working in mathematics and statistics support quick access to a comprehensive collection of resources that will enhance :

their tutoring role and
their students’ learning

Click here for details of this call. If you have any queries, please contact Dr Trevor Hawkes (aa5864@coventry.ac.uk) or on 07557 425036 in the first instance.
Deadline for expressions of interest: 30 June 2015

sigma North West and North Wales Hub Networking Event
2015-06-25 12:30 - 16:30 | Liverpool John Moores University
The sigma North West and North Wales Hub is holding a Mathematics and Statistics Support Networking Event at Liverpool John Moores University on Thursday 25th June 2015, starting at 12:30pm.

This event is aimed at those who would like to network with other Mathematics and Statistics support practitioners, share good practice and discuss common issues. This is an ideal opportunity for Institutions to meet up and share experiences and advice.

Guest speakers include:

Professor Peter Byers – Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Education) at Liverpool John Moores University
Michael Grove – Director of the STEM Education Centre at the University of Birmingham
Professor Tony Croft – Professor of Mathematics Education at Loughborough University and a sigma Director
Dr Alun Owen – Institute of Science and the Environment, University of Worcester
Dr Mark Taylor – Senior Lecturer in Computing and Mathematical Sciences at Liverpool John Moores University

This will be a very informal event, and include lunch and refreshments.
For the agenda and further details click here.

Further details to follow closer to the event. If you would like to attend, please book by emailing Andrew Fox at a.j.fox@ljmu.ac.uk.

sigma North East and Yorkshire Hub event
2015-06-24 10:00 - 16:00
Details to follow.

Meeting the mathematics needs of pharmacy students
2015-06-15 10:00 - 16:00 | Kings College, London
The sigma South East Hub is hosting ‘Meeting the mathematics needs of pharmacy students’ on Monday 15 June, from 10:30am-3:30pm at Kings College, London in Room 1.11 in the Franklin-Wilkins Building (Waterloo Campus)
Directions: http://www.kcl.ac.uk/campuslife/campuses/waterloo/Waterloo.aspx
There will be talks from the British Pharmaceutical Students’ Association and the Royal Pharmaceutical Society. The aims of the day are:

To acquaint the maths support community with the needs of pharmacy students
Provide an opportunity for pharmacy academics to understand how the maths support community can help overcome issues with mathematics learning in pharmacy degrees

This meeting will be very similar to the one run at Liverpool John Moores last November in order to give those who couldn’t attend a further opportunity.
There is no charge for attending this event and refreshments and lunch will be provided. To register please email Noel-Ann Bradshaw (n.bradshaw@gre.ac.uk) letting her know of any dietary requirements.
For the full programme, click here.

Closing date: sigma Outstanding Contribution 2015 Prize nominations
2015-06-05 17:00
The sigma Network for Excellence in Mathematics and Statistics Support will award up to three prizes for outstanding contributions to mathematics and statistics support in Higher Education during the current academic year 2014/15.

The sigma Prize for Outstanding Contributor 2015: £500 to an individual employed in a higher education institution (UK) who has made a sustained contribution to mathematics and/or statistics support.

The sigma Mathematics or Statistics Support Research Paper of the Year 2015: £250 to an author (or authors) of a single outstanding paper that impacts directly or indirectly on support for mathematics and/or statistics in higher education.

The sigma Student of the Year 2015: £250 to an undergraduate or postgraduate at a higher education institution (UK) who has made a significant difference to any aspect of mathematics/statistics support.

Full details of the criteria for each category and the nomination process can be found in the guidance notes (links below).
In addition to the monetary award, each recipient will receive a Certificate of Award and one free place at the CETL-MSOR Conference 2015 (Note: only one free place available for the Paper of the Year award). Recipients will be expected to cover their own travel expenses. The prizes will be formally awarded at the Conference Dinner on the evening of Tuesday 8th September 2015.
Key dates

Call for nominations : Tuesday 28th April 2015
Closing date for nominations: Friday 5th June 2015
Announcement of prize winners : Thursday 25th June 2015
Prize giving ceremony : Tuesday 8th September 2015

If you have any queries, please contact me at m.g.petrie@lboro.ac.uk.
Guidance notes and nomination forms

Guidance notes
sigma Prize for Outstanding Contributor 2015 nomination form (Word document)
sigma Mathematics or Statistics Support Research Paper of the Year 2015 nomination form (Word document)
sigma Student of the Year 2015 nomination form (Word document)

sigma Hub Co-ordinators online meeting
2015-06-04 09:15 - 10:15, 2015-04-23 09:15 - 10:15, 2015-03-05 09:15 - 10:15

Evaluating your provision
2015-05-27 10:00 - 16:00 | Room SMB103, Stewart Mason Building Loughborough University , LE11 3TU + Google Map
Students are the primary stakeholders in our mathematics support activities. Improving their university experience and their understanding of the mathematics and statistics they need for success in their courses is an important objective for all those who work in support centres. So gathering feedback from the students who use mathematics support is an ongoing and important element of a centre’s work. In addition, there is a continued need to demonstrate impact – measurability – to justify funding.
sigma, in conjunction with Maynooth University, is pleased to offer a free one day workshop on the gathering feedback on and evaluation of mathematics and statistics support provision. This workshop will build on the “Gathering student feedback on mathematics and statistics support provision: a guide for those running mathematics support centres” (2012) publication, which can be found here: http://www.sigma-network.ac.uk/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/Evaluation-Report-web-version.pdf .
Location: Room SMB103, Stewart Mason Building, Loughborough University, LE11 3TU
The registration form for this event can be found at : https://lboro.onlinesurveys.ac.uk/evaluation-and-feedback-workshop. Further information regarding this event will be provided shortly. The following reports will be of interest to those wishing to attend:

http://www.sigma-network.ac.uk/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/Evaluation-Report-web-version.pdf
http://www.sigma-network.ac.uk/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/Evaluation-of-MSC-final.pdf
http://www.mathcentre.ac.uk/resources/uploaded/evalmaths-l-centrelimerickcarrollgillpdf.pdf
http://www.mathcentre.ac.uk/resources/uploaded/alm14olivia.pdf

sigma Advisory Group Meeting
2015-05-19 08:00 - 17:00

sigma Network One Day Event on GeoGebra and ICT for Mathematics Support
2015-05-15 10:30 - 16:00 | Essex University, Colchester Campus
The Eastern sigma Hub is planning to run a free Workshop on GeoGebra and ICT for Mathematics Support , on 15 May at Essex University, Colchester Campus from 10:30 to 16:00.
This one day event on ICT in the support of mathematics at University will focus on the free software GeoGebra (https://www.geogebra.org/) and how it can be used to support teaching and learning of mathematics and statics. This event is ideal for people who have not used GeoGebra before but will also be of interest to more experienced users. The day will close with time for people to practice their new GeoGebra skills along with a discussion of the implications and use of ICT in the support of mathematics and statistics at university. If you would like to prove a short talk in this last session, please let event organiser Abdel Salhi as@essex.ac.uk know.
The GeoGebra sessions will be run by Tom Button from MEI (http://www.mei.org.uk/consultancyTB).
The programme for the day is as follows:
1030: Arrivals + refreshments
1100: Introduction to GeoGebra
1230: Lunch
1300: Further GeoGebra hands-on practice
1430: Discussion of ICT in undergraduate Maths Support
1600: Close
For those working towards HEA Fellowship, attendance at and engagement with this event, and reflection on its implications for practice, could help to provide evidence towards elements of the UK Professional Standards Framework: A1, A4, A5, K1, K2, K3, K4, V2, V3.
Please contact Abdel Salhi or Dan Brawn for further information and to book your place.

sigma Newsletter contributions deadline
2015-05-15 00:00 - 23:59
Contributions for the June issue of the sigma Newsletter are due today. Please contact Janette Matthews.

sigma Midlands Hub Networking event
2015-05-08 12:30 - 16:00 | Halesowen College
The sigma Midlands Hub is holding a Maths Support Networking Event at Halesowen College on Friday 8th May, starting at 12:30pm.
This event is aimed at those who would like to network with other Mathematics and Statistics support practitioners, share good practice and discuss common issues. This is an ideal opportunity for Institutions who have recently received sigma funding to set up a mathematics support provision to get together, as well as the ‘old hands’ at mathematics support to pass on their wisdom.
This will be a very informal event, including lunch and refreshments.
sigma may be able to assist with the cost of transport in cases of hardship if your institution is in England and is unable to cover this. If you would like to attend, please book by emailing Ruth Fairclough at r.fairclough@wlv.ac.uk.

sigma Student Summer Internship Initiative – Successful proposals announced
2015-03-02 00:00 - 23:59

sigma Newsletter contributions deadline
2015-02-13 00:00 - 23:59
Contributions for the March issue of the sigma Newsletter are due today. Please contact Janette Matthews.

sigma Student Summer Internship Initiative – Call for Proposals – closing date
2015-02-12 00:00 - 23:59

sigma Midlands Tutor Training
2015-01-29 10:30 - 16:00 | Coventry University
A free training day is being held on 29th January 2015 at Coventry University for tutors who work in mathematics and statistics support centres or who otherwise support students to enhance their mathematical skills.
The course will be delivered by members of sigma, based around the sigma guide “Tutoring in a Mathematics Support Centre“. The training is ideal for tutors new to mathematics and statistics support, for example postgraduate students who take on this work, but is open to anyone who wishes to reflect on the ways in which mathematics and statistics support differs from traditional lecturing.
This event is being hosted by the sigma Midlands hub.
To reserve a place at this FREE event, please email Trevor Hawkes aa5864@coventry.ac.uk.
Financial support to assist with travel costs may be available (to delegates from the Midlands hub region only) if tutors would otherwise be unable to attend. Please contact Ruth Fairclough r.fairclough@wlv.ac.uk, sigma Midlands Hub Co-ordinator, for information.

Embedding & sustaining maths & stats support
2015-01-23 11:00 - 16:00 | University of Bath
The sigma South West and South Wales Hub is holding an event on Embedding and sustaining mathematics support, at the University of Bath on Friday 23rd January. The main focus of the meeting is to consider how the community of mathematics and statistics support practitioners may best embed and sustain mathematics support locally in their own institution and within our regional hub. This meeting will also have plenty of time for networking and sharing information and ideas between attendees. Please note the requests for short talks, activities and discussion points to enable this and consider volunteering!
Abdel Salhi, Professor of Operational Research and Head of the Department of Mathematical Sciences at the University of Essex, will open the day. He will describe how his department has designed and delivered sustainable maths and stats support including offering consultancy services to local businesses. This will be followed by short talks offered up by attendees to highlight work they have completed to ensure their maths or stats support is embedded and sustainable. In the latter part of the day there will be activities and discussion with a focus on local and regional embedding, sustainability and sharing of practice. For further information and to register for the event please see http://www.bath.ac.uk/study/sigma-sw/events/sustain-2015.html.
For further details please contact the sigma South West and South Wales Hub co-ordinator Emma Cliffe (E.H.Cliffe@bath.ac.uk).

Being inclusive in math and stats support
2015-01-19 10:00 - 16:00 | University of Sheffield
The sigma North East and Yorkshire Hub are arranging an event at the University of Sheffield on Monday 19 January 2015, starting at 10am and finishing at 4pm. The day will be a combination of talks and activities and aims to give delegates an opportunity to consider their inclusive practice of mathematics and statistics support and learn ways of developing it further.
Widening participation initiatives and changes in confidence in our society has led to an increase in numbers of students from non-traditional backgrounds. In the maths support community we are good at helping students get to a level playing field when it comes to mathematics and statistics skills but I think we have yet to engage as a whole community with the trickier support for students with challenging mental and physical health conditions. This event hopes to not only increase awareness but will help to take us forward pre-empting the increase in student numbers and support needs.
Clare Trott from Loughborough University has played a leading role in developing methods for helping students with dyscalculia and low maths confidence, Victoria Mann (Specialist SpLD tutor) with 14 years of experience from University of Sheffield and Dylan Griffiths from Bangor University will be some of the speakers at the event. The full programme is yet to be finalised.
There is no charge for attending and refreshments including lunch will be provided. Preliminary enquiries can be sent to Chetna.patel@sheffield.ac.uk.

sigma Hub Co-ordinators away day
2015-01-15 00:00 - 23:59 | Solihull

sigma Student Summer Internship Initiative – Call for Proposals
2015-01-12 00:00 - 23:59

Workshop for Tutors In Mathematics and Statistics Support Centres
2014-12-16 10:30 - 16:00 | Coventry University
A free training day is being held on 16 December 2014 at Coventry University for tutors who work in mathematics and statistics support centres or who otherwise support students to enhance their mathematical skills.
The course will be delivered by members of sigma, based around the sigma guide “Tutoring in a Mathematics Support Centre“. The training is ideal for tutors new to mathematics and statistics support, for example postgraduate students who take on this work, but is open to anyone who wishes to reflect on the ways in which mathematics and statistics support differs from traditional lecturing.
This event is being hosted by the sigma Midlands hub.
Date: Tuesday 16 December 2014
Time: 10.30 – 16.00
Place: Coventry University
To reserve a place at this FREE event, please email Trevor Hawkes aa5864@coventry.ac.uk.

Models for the delivery of Maths/Stats support
2014-12-16 10:30 - 15:00 | University of East London (UEL)
The sigma Eastern England Hub will be holding an event at the University of East London (UEL).
This will be a networking event for people involved in the provision of mathematics and statistics support in higher education. Attendees will have the opportunity to share experiences, explain what works well for them, and seek ideas for the further development of their service. More details..
To book a place, or for further information, please contact:
Dan Brawn, sigma Eastern England Hub Assistant Co-ordinator: dbrawn@essex.ac.uk

sigma North West and North Wales Tutor Training
2014-12-16 10:00 - 16:00 | Lancaster University
A free training day is being held on 16 December 2014 at Lancaster University for tutors who work in mathematics and statistics support centres or who otherwise support students to enhance their mathematical skills.
The course will be delivered by members of sigma, based around the sigma guide “Tutoring in a Mathematics Support Centre“. The training is ideal for tutors new to mathematics and statistics support, for example postgraduate students who take on this work, but is open to anyone who wishes to reflect on the ways in which mathematics and statistics support differs from traditional lecturing.
This event is being hosted by the sigma North West and North Wales hub.
Date: Tuesday 16 December 2014
Time: 10.00 – 16.00
Place: Lancaster University
To reserve a place at this FREE event, please email Sharon McCulloch s.mcculloch@lancaster.ac.uk
Financial support to assist with travel costs may be available (to delegates from the sigma NWNW hub region only) if tutors would otherwise be unable to attend. Please contact Leslie Fletcher L.R.Fletcher@ljmu.ac.uk, sigma NWNW Hub Co-ordinator, for information.
