Inquiry-Based Learning in College Mathematics
This comprehensive study examines student outcomes of inquiry-based learning (IBL) in undergraduate mathematics and links these outcomes to students’ and instructors’ experiences of IBL. Based at four research universities that have been developing IBL courses, the mixed-methods study examines outcomes including skills, cognitive gains, attitudes and beliefs, and education and career paths. The study also seeks to understand how these outcomes come about, using a combination of surveys, classroom observations, interviews, tests, and student academic records. Finally, we are examining the recruitment and participation of IBL instructors, their professional development, and the institutionalization of these approaches in their departments.
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Publications
Laursen, S., & Hassi, M.L. (2012). Outcomes of inquiry-based learning for pre-service teachers: A multi-site study. In (Eds.) S. Brown, S. Larsen, K. Marrongelle, and M. Oehrtman, Proceedings of the 15th Annual Conference on Research in Undergraduate Mathematics Education, pp. 88-94, Portland, Oregon.
Hassi, M.-L., Kogan, M., & Laursen, S. L. (2011). Student outcomes from inquiry-based college mathematics courses: Benefits of IBL for students from under-served groups. In (Eds.) S. Brown, S. Larsen, K. Marrongelle, and M. Oehrtman, Proceedings of the 14th Annual Conference on Research in Undergraduate Mathematics Education, Vol. 3, pp. 73-77, Portland, Oregon.
Laursen, S., Hassi, M.-L., & Hunter, A.-B. (2011). Navigating the straits: Critical instructional decisions in inquiry-based college mathematics classes. In (Eds.) S. Brown, S. Larsen, K. Marrongelle, and M. Oehrtman, Proceedings of the 14th Annual Conference on Research in Undergraduate Mathematics Education, Vol. 3, pp. 101-104, Portland, Oregon.
Hassi, M.-L. (2009). Empowering undergraduate students through mathematical thinking and learning. In G. Fitzsimons (Ed.), A Declaration of Numeracy: Empowering Adults through Mathematics Education, Proceedings of the 15th International Conference of Adults Learning Mathematics (ALM), 53-69. Lancaster, PA: DEStech Publications.
Hassi M.-L., & Laursen, S. (2009). Studying undergraduate mathematics: Exploring students' beliefs, experiences and gains. In S.L. Swars, D.W. Stinson, & S. Lemons-Smith (eds.), Proceedings of the 31st Annual Meeting of the North American Chapter of the International Group for the Psychology of Mathematics Education (PME-NA), pp.113-121. Atlanta, GA: Georgia State University.
Reports
Assessment & Evaluation Center for Inquiry-Based Learning in Mathematics (2011). Evaluation of the IBL Mathematics Project: Student and Instructor Outcomes of Inquiry-Based Learning in College Mathematics. (Report to the Educational Advancement Foundation and the IBL Mathematics Centers) Boulder, CO: University of Colorado, Ethnography & Evaluation Research.
Executive summary
Full report - including executive summary and table of contentsStudy methods - all appendices
Appendix A1 - Overview of Research Methods for the Mixed-Methods Study
Appendix A2 - Study Methods: Classroom Observation
Appendix A3 - Study Methods: Student Surveys
Appendix A4 - Study Methods: Linking Classroom Observation and Student Survey Data
Appendix A5 - Study Methods: Mathematics Tests
Appendix A6 - Study Methods: Student Academic Records
Appendix A7 - Study Methods: Student and Instructor Interviews
Assessment & Evaluation Center for Inquiry-Based Learning in Mathematics (2009). (Reports to the IBL Mathematics Project) Boulder, CO: University of Colorado, Ethnography & Evaluation Research.
Inquiry Brief 1: Validation of mathematical proofs. First findings from a proof test.
Inquiry Brief 2: Mathematical knowledge for teaching. First findings from MKT measures of students’ cognitive gains.
Inquiry Brief 3: Differences between IBL and non-IBL classroom practices. First findings from observations of classroom activity, leadership, and questioning behaviors.
Inquiry Brief 4: Variations in classroom practice among IBL courses. First findings from observations of classroom activity, leadership, and questioning behaviors.
Tools & Resources
Interested in inquiry-based learning in math? We recommend the following resources:
- The SALG-M is a form of the Student Assessment of their Learning Gains (SALG) survey instrument that is customized for undergraduate mathematics courses. We have used this survey to examine students' learning gains across a range of cognitive, affective, and social domains (e.g. Hassi & Laursen, 2009) and are making it available to instructors and researchers. To examine or use the SALG-M, please download these instructions and visit salgsite.org to set up and customize a copy for your own use.
- The Academy of Inquiry Based Learning (AIBL) supports mathematics instructors in applying inquiry-based learning within their own classrooms and building a practitioner community.
- AIBL Director Stan Yoshinobu blogs about IBL instruction here.
- The Legacy of R. L. Moore conference gathers practitioners of inquiry-based learning in mathematics annually.
- The SPIGOT project offers intensive summer workshops on IBL for college mathematics instructors.
- The Journal of Inquiry-Based Learning in Mathematics (JIBLM) publishes course notes that instructors can use to design an inquiry-based math course.