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.

ICalculus改革是过去十多年来的一项重大教育创新。 许多学院和大学在微积分课程中采用了某种形式的微积分改革，至少是部分改革。 这一改革也一直是数学界争议的焦点，许多数学系都有明确的拥护者和反对者。 然而，几乎没有经验证据支持这两种立场。 作者之一（Ganter）对微积分改革的文献进行了回顾，得出结论认为，关于对学生成绩和态度的影响，研究结果喜忧参半。本研究试图提供信息的长期影响的微积分改革采用匹配的学生谁是注册在“传统”或“改革”微积分班。 这些学生的表现，从7个机构的类绘制，将在微积分之后的课程进行检查。 此外，还将对这些机构的大四学生进行微积分知识测试，并探讨雇主对微积分改革背景的兴趣。这项研究将由首席调查员在7名评估“研究员”的协助下进行，这些评估“研究员”来自参与研究的机构，并接受过首席调查员的培训。 “研究员”将成为数学和科学界的持续资源。