Maths Mentors at Deakin University

Maths Mentors: a successful partnership program involving academics, Peer Program supervisors, mentors and students.

The Maths Mentors program commenced four years ago and has seen a marked increase annually in the number of students accessing the support service. Administered by professional supervisors, the program recruits and trains high-achieving students to work in various ways to assist and support students in diverse units that involve mathematics, statistics and numeracy. The assistance, available to the entire Deakin community, includes:

• Daily face-to-face support in designated drop-in spaces
• Daily online interaction through Blackboard Collaborate Ultra
• Study Halls in specific areas such as Engineering, Commerce, Science, Education (LANTITE)
• End of trimester exam preparation sessions

The program is constantly being reviewed and modified to meet the changing needs of lecturers and students. The supervisors work collaboratively with lecturers to develop strategies which are then implemented by the Maths Mentors. An example of this partnership involved a lecturer, supervisor and mentor working together to develop a series of maths-based videos as learning resources which were then embedded into the unit. 

As an evolving entity in an increasingly dynamic, digital world, the Maths Mentors program is open and receptive to ideas that foster partnership and facilitate student success.

For further information see www.deakin.edu.au/maths-mentors