How do you feel about the Maths forum?

Original post by DFranklin

So, on the GCSE front: I've had a look, and to be honest I'm just not seeing much in the way of questions posted in the wrong place. Where should I be looking for GCSE maths questions other than F38/F373?

F85, GCSEs
A lot of subject specific questions end up in here but they shouldn't be there- that forum is specifically for questions about GCSEs, how they work, revision, extracurricular etc

Reply 82

Notnek

Original post by DFranklin

So, on the GCSE front: I've had a look, and to be honest I'm just not seeing much in the way of questions posted in the wrong place. Where should I be looking for GCSE maths questions other than F38/F373?

Was this meant to be directed at someone else? I didn't mention questions being posted in the wrong place.

My feeling is that historically F38 has always been dominated by A-level + (early) undergraduate posters - I don't remember there ever being a lot of GCSE posters (though I remember there being more than there are now).

Yes I have noticed that there are fewer than there used to be.

With the GCSE getting harder, I've noticed that students who used to breeze through GCSE are now asking more questions so I expected more GCSE questions on TSR. There probably will be a lot more questions closer to the exam.

Reply 83

DFranklin

18

Original post by notnek

Was this meant to be directed at someone else? I didn't mention questions being posted in the wrong place.Sorry, I thought you had - (or if you hadn't, you'd still know where they were typically getting posted!).

I'm not wanting to downplay the issue of GCSE posts not making it to F38 (for whatever reason), but I don't feel there were ever enough of them for that to be be the main reason for what seems to be quite a steep general falloff in traffic here.

Reply 84

Notnek

Clearing and Applications Advisor

Original post by DFranklin

I'm not wanting to downplay the issue of GCSE posts not making it to F38 (for whatever reason), but I don't feel there were ever enough of them for that to be be the main reason for what seems to be quite a steep general falloff in traffic here.

No I completely agree. I'm not suggesting that the lack of threads in F38 is because there are not enough GCSE students asking questions. The problem is the lack of A Level threads.

I would just like to encourage more GCSE students to visit the forum because I think a lot would benefit. Plus I've heard in this thread and others of students being intimidated so anything to try to improve this is a a good idea in my opinion.

Reply 85

KaylaB

20

Original post by DFranklin

FWIW, if I see you or someone of your caliber has responded to a GCSE/A-level question I generally would consider the thread "answered" and not bother even opening it. But I'd be happy to respond to such threads if it was clear there was a need.

Although I don't post loads in the maths forum, yeah I agree with this.

I won't usually bother to reply to a thread if I see that one of the well known posters have posted in the thread, as like you said they are more than capable and I wouldn't want to step on any toes.

The only times I will interject with these questions, is if (albeit quite rarely) I know of an easier/more clear method, or if the person helping hasn't replied to the OP's response for quite a while.

Reply 86

PQ

Speaking from a universities/UCAS point of view:

There are a LOT of people who struggle/get rejected because they don't have the key C grade at maths GCSE (having repeatedly sat and got D grades). With the possibility of more universities asking for a 5 grade where previously a C was acceptable this is likely to get worse (the C grade has been split between a 4 (low C) and a 5 (high C)).

Having a GCSE maths resit study group or similar for these users to work together (and get help) on how to get that critical increase would be really useful and might help to broaden the appeal of the forum beyond the A/A* crowd (who should be able to help these students a lot).

Reply 87

DFranklin

18

Original post by notnek

No I completely agree. I'm not suggesting that the lack of threads in F38 is because there are not enough GCSE students asking questions. The problem is the lack of A Level threads.

I would just like to encourage more GCSE students to visit the forum because I think a lot would benefit. Plus I've heard in this thread and others of students being intimidated so anything to try to improve this is a a good idea in my opinion.

There's also the argument that today's GCSE posters are tomorrows A-level posters (thought a little consideration of the numbers indicates this probably isn't a significant factor).

I'm going to repeat that I don't like "segregating" A-level (or GCSE) posts, whether it's by stickies, mega threads or (to a lesser extent) putting them in the exam forum. I had a brief look at a couple of the devoted threads, and my feeling is that I'd need to follow them reasonably carefully to make helpful responses - I would much rather look at individual thread titles and judge "OK, this is one I'd like to look at".

Edit: (and the same brief look made me feel that those threads would definitely benefit from more post-A-level forumites getting involved, so making it more attractive/less onerous for those people to do so would be a net benefit).

(edited 7 years ago)

Reply 88

ghostwalker

Original post by Fox Corner

...

Has any analysis has been done regarding the number of threads on f38, and do we know when the falloff occurred?

A falloff part way through the year may be indicative of an issue with using TSR.

A failure in initial uptake from the start of the academic year may indicate schools have other resources newly available.

Or perhaps everyone just got better at maths :smile:

Reply 89

Notnek

Original post by DFranklin

There's also the argument that today's GCSE posters are tomorrows A-level posters (thought a little consideration of the numbers indicates this probably isn't a significant factor).

I'm going to repeat that I don't like "segregating" A-level (or GCSE) posts, whether it's by stickies, mega threads or (to a lesser extent) putting them in the exam forum. I had a brief look at a couple of the devoted threads, and my feeling is that I'd need to follow them reasonably carefully to make helpful responses - I would much rather look at individual thread titles and judge "OK, this is one I'd like to look at".

I take your point but I think we can have normal threads and a few stickies and students/helpers can choose to post in either. Sticky threads sometimes work really well like last years 'Year 12 maths help'. There were a good group of posters who would discuss how they were getting on and ask for help. I think seeing each others questions was really beneficial.I hope this could happen in a GCSE sticky.

But other stickies haven't worked so well and have died like two of the current stickies in F38.

(edited 7 years ago)

Reply 90

DFranklin

18

Original post by notnek

I take your point but I think we can have normal threads and a few stickies and students/helpers can choose to post in either. Sticky threads sometimes work really well like last years 'Year 12 maths help'. There were a good group of posters who would discuss how they were getting on and ask for help. Yes, if it's for "mutual support" then a sticky makes a lot more sense. I don't know if reframing it as "Year 12 maths study group" or something might help push it in that direction.

For a concept like that, it feels it would be really useful if there was some way to "tag a study helper" - that is, flag a post for the attention of someone who can give more authoritative help while leaving people in general to help each other.

(edited 7 years ago)

Reply 91

Indeterminate

3

A few months ago I remember we had lots going on in the Maths forum with things like 'the proof is trivial' and all that "the hard ______ thread" type of thing. And of course back then the legendary TeEm was with us as well. There was hardly a moment where a maths thread didn't appear in latest/trending discussions and there were many people here around the clock pretty much.

The problem is that quite a few of us are busier now so that's probably not helped :hmmmm:

However I do agree with those who say that the GCSE side of things needs to be encouraged. Stickies might help. :yep:

I'll certainly try and be here more often now. Maybe having STs here more of the time will help keep it tidy as well :h:

Reply 92

Original post by ghostwalker

Has any analysis has been done regarding the number of threads on f38, and do we know when the falloff occurred?

A falloff part way through the year may be indicative of an issue with using TSR.

A failure in initial uptake from the start of the academic year may indicate schools have other resources newly available.

Or perhaps everyone just got better at maths :smile:

Maths has been getting just as many views as it always has, but there just isn't the same level of posting or interaction - so people are still wanting to use the forum but just aren't interacting with people for some reason

Reply 93

Just thought I'd mention as well that we've recently added two new Community Assistants - @surina16 and @NiamhM1801 - who are quite active in Maths and both do Maths related subjects :smile:

they're both interested in interacting with the forum and I thought it would be helpful for everyone for them to be involved in this discussion! If you guys have any problems with threads in the wrong places, let them know as they can move them :smile:

I'm about to make the GCSE Maths Help and Chat Thread, and once its made I'm sure the two of them will be very helpful in interacting with people and building up the sense of community that you guys wanted! :h:

Original post by PQ

Speaking from a universities/UCAS point of view:

There are a LOT of people who struggle/get rejected because they don't have the key C grade at maths GCSE (having repeatedly sat and got D grades). With the possibility of more universities asking for a 5 grade where previously a C was acceptable this is likely to get worse (the C grade has been split between a 4 (low C) and a 5 (high C)).

Having a GCSE maths resit study group or similar for these users to work together (and get help) on how to get that critical increase would be really useful and might help to broaden the appeal of the forum beyond the A/A* crowd (who should be able to help these students a lot).

Thanks for this, this is another thread that I'll try to get up and running but it might come off better from one of the more experienced mathmos who can provide a lot of useful information for the OP. If anyone wants to make this thread I'll be happy to sticky it :yy:

Reply 94

ghostwalker

Original post by Gingerbread101

Maths has been getting just as many views as it always has, but there just isn't the same level of posting or interaction - so people are still wanting to use the forum but just aren't interacting with people for some reason

Interesting, but doesn't address my question as far as I can see.

Reply 95

Original post by ghostwalker

Interesting, but doesn't address my question as far as I can see.

There has been no particular falloff point - just a general trend of less posting all year round compared to previous years

Reply 96

ghostwalker

Original post by Gingerbread101

There has been no particular falloff point - just a general trend of less posting all year round compared to previous years

Ta.

Reply 97

Original post by TeeEm

All is very very interesting ...

How about my suggestion?
.. you remove all active warnings on my username and get someone from the CT to send me an email of apology for the "treatment" I received between Dec 2015 and Mar 2016 by the "do gooders" of this site ...

In return,
I will remove all "negative" reviewing of TSR from my site
I will start posting in TSR again.
I will re-post my resources on TSR

If you want to talk about your community record, that should be done in AtCT rather than the public forum - plus I seem to be uninformed of this so can't really comment :smile:

Reply 98

TheConfusedMedic

Original post by Gingerbread101

Just thought I'd mention as well that we've recently added two new Community Assistants - @surina16 and @NiamhM1801 - who are quite active in Maths and both do Maths related subjects :smile:

they're both interested in interacting with the forum and I thought it would be helpful for everyone for them to be involved in this discussion! If you guys have any problems with threads in the wrong places, let them know as they can move them :smile:

I'm about to make the GCSE Maths Help and Chat Thread, and once its made I'm sure the two of them will be very helpful in interacting with people and building up the sense of community that you guys wanted! :h:

Thanks for this, this is another thread that I'll try to get up and running but it might come off better from one of the more experienced mathmos who can provide a lot of useful information for the OP. If anyone wants to make this thread I'll be happy to sticky it :yy:

Hey! Yes I'd love to be able to contribute to this forum more, but I agree with some of the points that have already been mentioned by other users - if I see that someone with a good TSR maths reputation has already been posting in a thread, I tend to just avoid it as I don't want to be getting involved in something that's already in the hands of someone who knows their stuff :lol:

The stickies seem like a really good idea as I was just going to say that sometimes I found it slightly intimidating (if that's the right word) to post in the Maths forum and I'm not really sure why. Maybe because I felt like they were quite small questions which ended up having a whole thread dedicated to them. Having large threads would really help this and I think it might reinstate that sense of community that some people think is slightly lacking :tongue:

I'll definitely be active in the GCSE threads and try to 'clean up the place' as much as I can when I'm online (so moving threads, making sure no full solutions are posted etc) :h:

(edited 7 years ago)

Reply 99

rayquaza17