The Impact of Calculus Reform on Long-term Student Performance

微积分改革对学生长期表现的影响

• 批准号: 9912017
• 负责人: Susan Ganter
• 金额: $ 36.02万
• 依托单位: Clemson University
• 依托单位国家: 美国
• 项目类别: Standard Grant
• 财政年份: 2000
• 资助国家: 美国
• 起止时间: 2000-07-01 至 2004-06-30
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=9912017&HistoricalAwards=false
• 关键词: Impact; Calculus; Reform; Long; term

ICalculus reform has been a major educational innovation extending over the past decade and more. Many colleges and universities have adopted, at least in part, some form of calculus reform in their calculus courses. The reform has also been the focus of considerable controversy in the mathematics community, with vocal defenders and opponents to be found within many mathematics departments. However, there has been little empirical evidence to support either position. A previous review of the literature on calculus reform by one of the authors (Ganter) concluded that findings were mixed regarding impacts on student achievement and attitudes. This study attempts to provide information on long-term effects of calculus reform by employing matching sets of students who were enrolled in either "traditional" or "reform" calculus classes. The performance of these students, drawn from classes in 7 institutions, will be examined in courses subsequent to calculus. A larger sample of seniors from these same institutions will also be tested on their knowledge of calculus.The interest of employers in calculus reform backgrounds will also be explored.The study will be carried out by the Principal Investigators with the assistance of 7 evaluation "Fellows" drawn from the institutions involved in the study and trained by the Principal Investigators. The "Fellows" will then be a continuing resource for the mathematics and science communities.

微积分改革是过去十年多来一项重大的教育创新。 许多学院和大学在其微积分课程中至少部分地采用了某种形式的微积分改革。 这项改革也成为数学界相当大争议的焦点，许多数学系中都存在直言不讳的捍卫者和反对者。 然而，几乎没有任何经验证据支持这两种立场。 作者之一（Ganter）之前对微积分改革文献的回顾得出的结论是，关于对学生成绩和态度的影响，研究结果好坏参半。本研究试图通过雇用参加“传统”或“改革”微积分课程的匹配学生组来提供有关微积分改革的长期影响的信息。 这些学生来自 7 个机构的班级，他们的表现将在微积分后续课程中接受检查。 来自同一机构的更大样本的老年人也将接受微积分知识测试。还将探讨雇主对微积分改革背景的兴趣。该研究将由首席研究员在 7 名评估“研究员”的协助下进行。 ”来自参与研究的机构并由首席研究员培训。 这些“研究员”将成为数学和科学界的持续资源。