When it comes to the ‘Maths Problem’ as experienced in Engineering and Physics departments there is a unity of recognition rarely seen in university circles. Students are increasingly unable to cope with the essential maths required for first year studies and it is not their fault. There is also little point in repeatedly pointing a finger at the A-level syllabus at GCSE early secondary teaching and at the damage inflicted in the primary schools. That will take twenty years to repair. Something in fact lots of things needs to be done for students embarking on HE courses now.
Some years ago we were encouraged by Dr Tim David of the University of Leeds to address the Problem through a series of engineering case studies recorded on video. Fifteen videos were produced with topics ranging from avalanches to heart valves drawing in skills from calculus complex numbers and vectors. The videos were beautifully produced to high broadcast standard by the TV Unit of Leeds University. They work.
