Student-centered interactive calculus readiness tool: Leveraging university course data through learning analytics

Increased stress, anxiety, and educational disruptions due to the COVID-19 pandemic have contributed to the reality that many students are entering university-level Calculus with insufficient mathematical preparation and negative attitudes towards learning math. Researchers have also shown that students from traditionally underrepresented groups are at a particularly high-risk of STEM attrition related to these factors. To address the need for proactive, student-centered learning support, this project will use data science to assess the roles of attitude and preparation in student performance; leveraging these results to develop an individualized early intervention. We begin by assessing mathematical preparation and attitudes using the Crowdmark platform, which is also used to collect course data. This will produce a rich dataset ready for analysis, supported by machine learning. The results will then be used to develop a tool to provide each student with an individualized action plan, and give educators detailed feedback about their students.

Faculty Supervisor:

Caroline Junkins;Lindsey Daniels

Student:

Partner:

Crowdmark

Discipline:

Mathematics

Sector:

Professional, scientific and technical services

University:

McMaster University

Program: