A Case Study Investigating the Factors Shaping Undergraduates' Negative Attitudes Toward Calculus 1

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Abstract

Calculus 1 is an introductory course for students pursuing a STEM major who want to pursue a STEM career. One influencing factor that contributes to the problem of low retention rate is students’ attitudes towards Calculus 1. There is research that looks into students' attitudes towards Calculus 1; they provide known factors that could influence students’ attitudes. However, there is a lack of understanding of how those factors influence students’ attitudes towards Calculus 1. Hence, this case study seeks to explore the factors that contribute to the development of negative attitudes among students in their Calculus 1 course. This study uses a two-step process that begins with a selection survey to identify students with negative attitudes, followed by semi-structured interviews.

Author

• Cristian Florian Schreiber, Florida International University