User-Friendly Scale for Capturing Students’ Perception of Active Learning in Calculus Courses

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Abstract

This study establishes reliability measures of user-friendly survey items for instructors and graduate teaching assistants to measure students’ perceptions of active learning in Calculus recitations. We deployed the survey in four different semesters to 703 undergraduate students. We conducted exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis, validity and reliability, and path analysis. We found that the scale measures a single construct, the perception of active learning; item and scale reliability and validity were established using different approaches. However, the item analysis shows that the items did not require five options on the Likert scale. Finally, a comparison of student cohorts to which the instrument was administered showed that students in the spring 2022 cohort have a higher perception of active learning.

Authors

• Nigar Altindis, University of Alabama

• Daniel O. Oyeniran, University of Alabama