PROCEEDINGS OF THE 20TH ANNUAL CONFERENCE ON RESEARCH IN UNDERGRADUATE MATHEMATICS EDUCATION
2017
San Diego, California
Spatial training and calculus ability: Investigating impacts on student performance and cognitive style
Page: 156
Despite concerted efforts on the part of educational policy makers, women are still underrepresented in the STEM fields. Researchers have shown that calculus plays a major role in this gender disparity since it requires spatial skills to success -- skills that women tend to utilize differently compared to men. However, previous studies have shown that spatial ability is malleable and spatial skills can be improved with training. This pilot study employed a form of spatial training in a third-term calculus course and measured the effects of this training on students’ calculus ability, spatial rotation ability, and cognitive style. Associations between cognitive style and task performance were also measured. Preliminary results indicate that spatial training did not significantly impact student performance on a calculus skills assessment or a test of mental rotations, but effects on students’ cognitive style were present.