PROCEEDINGS OF THE 19TH ANNUAL CONFERENCE ON RESEARCH IN UNDERGRADUATE MATHEMATICS EDUCATION
2016
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Students’ perceptions of learning college algebra online using adaptive learning technology
Page: 1207
Adaptive learning technology was used in the teaching of an online college algebra course. As students worked on the mastery goals set for them, the technology helped students identify content that they already understood and other content that they had yet to master. Goal orientation theory suggests that when learning is mastery-oriented, a student’s motivation to learn may improve (Ames & Archer, 1988). Qualitative methodology was used to describe how students perceived the instruction of their college algebra course and their learning in the course. Preliminary findings suggested that an adaptive teaching approach may help build students’ confidence because they can control the pace of instruction and chose where to focus their effort without drawing negative attention to themselves.