A Simulation-Based Curriculum to Accelerate Math Remediation and Improve Degree Completion for STEM Majors

基础代数的成功是寻求技术职业的学生的主要绊脚石。尽管人们通常认为STEM专业的学生从微积分开始，作为他们的第一门大学数学课程，但对于许多城市和少数民族社区大学的学生来说，情况并非如此。该项目通过创建基于游戏和模拟的代数和三角课程，解决STEM专业数学补救的国家问题。该课程的特点是三到五个视频游戏，将数学内容放在现实世界的GIS场景中。 该课程用于曼哈顿社区学院（BMCC）地理信息科学（GIS）专业的暑期沉浸课程。该项目将在国家层面影响STEM教育，通过项目网站向中学和中学后机构提供所有免费和开源的材料，其中包括可下载的课程，游戏软件，视频教程，教职员工的专业发展材料以及支持论坛。夏季浸入式课程将MAT 056（BMCC STEM专业最常见的补救数学课程）与GEO 100（GIS序列中的第一门课程）配对。 该计划的学生是从参加BMCC科学技术入学计划的纽约市高中毕业生中招募的。完成暑期课程后，学生将获得GIS的特殊支持服务和实习机会，以使他们进入纽约市立大学或相关行业的学士学位课程。该项目针对的是BMCC的大量少数民族学生（90%以上）和女生（近60%）。基于证据的研究表明，数学课程中的游戏有能力将数学教育从令人生畏和消极的体验转变为有趣，引人入胜和成功的体验。 虽然有许多有前途的NSF资助的科学游戏正在参与和促进深度学习，但很少有数学游戏这样做，更少的是以成年学习者可以欣赏的方式专门涵盖代数主题。 基础代数的成功是寻求技术职业的学生的主要绊脚石。 该项目将建立在：1）以前的NSF补助金奖励，以开发BMCC的GIS专业，2）教育部为西班牙裔服务机构提供第五条补助金，以加强BMCC的电子学习计划，包括基于游戏的学习。 游戏和模拟将以现实世界的应用程序为特色，重点关注GIS职业所需的技能和背景。该项目的成果将通过会议介绍和出版物传播。项目成果将通过游戏分析，传统测验和期中考试以及MAT 056的公共部门期末考试进行评估。部门期末考试成绩和课程保留率将与整个学院的比率进行比较，使用统计匹配队列的逻辑回归分析。此外，还将审查性别和种族差异。学生意见调查和焦点小组将进一步衡量游戏和模拟对学生数学和技术领域态度的有效性。最后，该计划将使用学生入学率，两年保留率和学位或转学进展的纵向数据进行检查。

Success in basic algebra is a major stumbling block for students seeking technical careers. Although it is often assumed that STEM majors start with calculus as their first college math course, this is not the case for many urban and minority community college students. This project is addressing the national problem of mathematics remediation for STEM majors by creating a game- and simulation-based algebra and trigonometry curriculum. The curriculum features three to five video games that place math content within real-world GIS scenarios. The curriculum is used in a summer immersion program for in-coming Geographic Information Science (GIS) majors at the Borough of Manhattan Community College (BMCC). The project will impact STEM education at a national level by providing all materials free and open-source to secondary and post-secondary institutions via a project website with downloadable curricula, game software, video tutorials, professional development materials for faculty and staff, and support forums. The summer immersion program pairs MAT 056, the most common remedial math course for BMCC STEM majors, with GEO 100, the first course in the GIS sequence. Students in the program are recruited from NYC high school graduates participating in BMCC's Science Technology Entry Program. After completing the summer program, students will receive special support services and internships in GIS to advance them into an articulating baccalaureate program at CUNY or in related industries. This project targets BMCC's large population of minority students (over 90%) and women students (nearly 60%). Evidence-based research has shown gaming in the mathematics curriculum has the power to transform mathematics education from an intimidating and negative experience to one that is fun, engaging, and successful. While there are many promising NSF-funded science games that are engaging and promote deep learning, there are very few math games that do so, and even fewer that specifically cover algebra topics in a way that can be appreciated by adult learners. Success in basic algebra is a major stumbling block for students seeking technical careers. This project will build on: 1) a previous NSF grant award to develop a GIS major at BMCC and 2) a Department of Education Title V grant for Hispanic-serving institutions to enhance e-learning initiatives at BMCC, including game-based learning. Games and simulations will feature real-world applications that focus on skills and contexts necessary for a career in GIS. Results of this project will be disseminated through conference presentations and publications. Project outcomes will be assessed through in-game analytics, traditional quizzes and midterm exams, and the common department final exam for MAT 056. Department final exam scores and course retention rates will be compared with rates for the college as a whole, using a logistic regression analysis of statistically matched cohorts. In addition, differences by gender and ethnicity will be examined. Student opinion surveys and focus groups will further gauge the effectiveness of the games and simulations on student attitudes toward math and technical fields. Finally, the program will be examined using longitudinal data on student enrollment, two-year retention rates, and progress toward degree or transfer.