Calculus is the study of change. However, calculus teaching methods have seen little change in recent decades. But now, FIU research has revealed a new model that could enhance calculus instruction nationwide.
A study published in Science demonstrates that a reimagined, innovative active learning approach to calculus instruction benefits all students. Developed at FIU, this model focuses on mastering different ways of thinking and problem-solving skills that are valuable beyond the classroom.
Gone are the days of rote memorization and large lecture halls. Instead, active learning classrooms have taken their place, where students collaborate to solve problems. The result is improved learning outcomes, a better understanding of calculus concepts, and higher grades compared to their peers in traditional lecture-based classes, according to the research.
“This large-scale study confirms what we have observed at FIU: when students are placed in an interactive, active learning environment, they can and do learn significantly more. They develop the ‘habits of mind’ that they will utilize for a long time, even throughout their careers,” said Laird Kramer, the lead author of the study and the founding director of FIU’s STEM Transformation Institute.
Credit: Florida International University
Kramer and a team from the STEM Transformation Institute followed 811 FIU undergraduates who were enrolled in different sections of the same Calculus I course, each taught using two distinct teaching methods. Half of the sections followed the traditional lecture-based approach, while the other half utilized the evidence-based active learning model developed at FIU.
2023-09-03 02:24:03
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