Mastery Learning in Calculus I Affects Student Learning, Grade Improvement, and Professor Exhaustion

• In Event: Poster Session 8
  In Poster Session: Division J Section 4 Poster Session 1

Abstract

Three Calculus I courses were taught under conditions of either traditional teaching, 2/3 mastery, or full mastery to test four hypotheses. Under conditions of mastery learning on exams, students should attain appropriate higher-level mathematical concepts, achieve more learning of higher-level mathematical concepts, learn higher-level mathematical concepts more quickly, and evaluate mastery learning favorably. Support for all hypotheses occurred only in the 2/3 mastery condition. A shift toward higher grades was attributed to grade improvement, not grade inflation, as determined by six mathematicians with blind review of final exam items. Final exams in mastery learning courses were significantly more difficult. We discuss the effects of mastery learning on the Calculus 1 professor, student learning, and improvement of students’ grades.

Author

• Judith M. Puncochar, Northern Michigan University