Establishing a new standard of care for calculus using trials with randomized student allocation

• 成果类型: Article
• 署名作者: Kramer, Laird; Fuller, Edgar; Watson, Charity; Castillo, Adam; Oliva, Pablo Duran; Potvin, Geoff
• 署名单位: State University System of Florida; Florida International University; State University System of Florida; Florida International University; State University System of Florida; Florida International University; State University System of Florida; Florida International University; Virginia Commonwealth University
• 刊物名称: SCIENCE
• ISSN/ISSBN: 0036-8417
• DOI: 10.1126/science.ade9803
• 发表日期: 2023-09-01
• 页码: 995-998
• 关键词: culturally relevant; education research; science; instruction; mathematics; precalculus; TECHNOLOGY; insights; pedagogy; REFORM

摘要

Calculus, the study of change in processes and systems, serves as the foundation for many STEM disciplines. Traditional, lecture-based calculus instruction may present a barrier for students seeking STEM degrees, limit their access to STEM professions, and block their potential to address society's challenges. A large-scale pragmatic trial with randomized student allocation was conducted to compare two calculus instruction styles: active student engagement (treatment condition) versus traditional, lecture-based instruction (control condition). A sample of 811 university students were studied across 32 sections taught by 19 instructors over three semesters at a large, US-based Hispanic-serving institution. Large effect sizes were consistently measured for student learning outcomes in the treatment condition, which demonstrates a new standard for calculus instruction and increased opportunities for completion of STEM degrees.