ERIC Number: EJ1270307
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2020
Pages: 10
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0020-739X
EISSN: N/A
A Quantitative Analysis of the near Transfer of Learning from Calculus to Subsequent Engineering Courses
Peters, Travis; Ogilvie, Craig
International Journal of Mathematical Education in Science and Technology, v51 n7 p1088-1097 2020
In this longitudinal study, we track student answers to a question from the Calculus Concept Inventory (CCI) pre- and post-instruction in Calculus I as well as an analogous question in the next semester framed in the context of Aerospace Engineering or Chemical Engineering. Nearly 88% of the students who answered the post-CCI question correctly answered the context question correctly, suggesting that students are able to transfer learning from Calculus I to subsequent engineering courses. Moreover, nearly 43% of the students who incorrectly answered the post-calculus question were able to correctly answer the applied context question. During the semester when the students took the engineering courses, they also answered two questions from the Student Assessment of their Learning Gains instrument to assess their mathematical confidence and the degree to which they make connections between mathematics courses and other courses. Students who were more confident in their mathematical ability were more successful in transferring their understanding from the mathematics to the engineering context.
Descriptors: Calculus, Transfer of Training, Chemical Engineering, Mathematics Skills, Longitudinal Studies, Mathematical Concepts, Measures (Individuals), Student Evaluation, Engineering Education, Teaching Methods, Team Teaching, Undergraduate Students, Mathematics Instruction, Aerospace Education, Achievement Gains, Student Attitudes
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research; Tests/Questionnaires
Education Level: Higher Education; Postsecondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A