PROCEEDINGS OF THE 19TH ANNUAL CONFERENCE ON RESEARCH IN UNDERGRADUATE MATHEMATICS EDUCATION
2016
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Clearing the way for stem majors in introductory calculus
Page: 99
One of the reasons for the exodus in STEM majors is the introductory calculus curriculum. Although there is evidence that curricula like CLEAR calculus support students’ adopting a more growth-orientated mindset, it is unclear how this curriculum promotes mindset changes. The purpose of this case study was to investigate which features of CLEAR Calculus students notice and attribution to their success. After administering the Patterns of Adaptive Learning Scale to assess students’ initial mindset in one section of calculus, four students were selected for interviews. At the end of the semester, students were re-administered the PALS and all students who took an additional mathematics class were given the survey at the end of their next course. Students cited that the labs CLEAR Calculus curriculum challenge them in ways that facilitate deeper comprehensive learning than that of prior courses, and the positive changes in approaches to mathematics continued in the next course. Students did not notice the formative assessments as part of the course, but the actions taken by the instructor as part of the course was taken as evidence as instructor caring by the students.