Strengthening mathematics skills at the postsecondary level: literature review and analysis


Appendix B: Summary of Studies Related to Developmental Mathematics Reviewed in This Report



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Appendix B: Summary of Studies Related to Developmental Mathematics Reviewed in This Report


Study

Approach

  • Metrics

  • Outcome

  • Research Issues

Adams 2003

Combined two-semester course in one semester

  • Top 60 percent of scorers in assessment test

  • Comparison of final test scores for those in developmental/ regular course vs. those in regular course not requiring remediation

  • Pass rates in higher math courses compared for two groups

  • Final test scores similar

  • Developmental students had 7 percentage points higher pass rate in elementary calculus

  • Results not as good for engineering calculus

  • No control for student characteristics

  • Precise measures of differences not stated

Atkinson 2003

Tutorials in Problem Solving (TiPS) for arithmetic and problem-solving skills in adults

  • Pretest and posttest measures

  • Relationship between length of instruction and assessed mathematical ability prior to using TiPS

  • Average posttest score was significantly higher for students using TiPS than similarly assessed students in an untreated control group

  • While originally intended for Navy sailors, results indicated TiPS has much wider applicability to adult literacy programs and workforce training programs

  • Use of regression-discontinuity design ensures validity of results

Cartnal 1999

Traditional vs computer- assisted instruction in elementary and intermediate algebra

  • Success

  • Retention

  • Persistence

  • Retention and persistence highest in computer-assisted instruction

  • Success highest in traditional

  • Recommends further research

Creery 2001

Lecture vs. self-paced vs. online instruction

  • Final grades

  • Persistence

  • No difference in final grades or persistence among the three methods

  • Recommends offering multiple instructional modes

  • Self-selection bias

  • No control for student characteristics

  • No analysis of differentials in withdrawals

DePree 1998

Instructor vs. small-group instruction

  • Math confidence

  • Achievement

  • Course completion

  • Small-group instruction had statistically higher confidence, more likely to complete the course

  • Improvements were greatest for traditionally underrepresented students in mathematics: Hispanics, Native Americans, and females



  • No difference in achievement




  • Quasi-experimental design with students not aware of modality used at time of registration




Higbee and Thomas 1999

Relationship between noncognitive variables and success in two-quarter algebra sequence

  • Test anxiety

  • Confidence to succeed in learning math

  • Math and test anxiety decreased for students in course with relaxation exercises and metacognition strategies

  • Posttest measures of anxiety were not correlated with higher course grades

  • Authors acknowledge that design does not allow for separating out effects of individual treatments, teaching ability, and personality traits of professor

  • No control group

  • Withdrawals are not accounted for

Kinney 2001

Traditional vs. computer- mediated instruction in elementary and intermediate algebra

  • Scores on final exams

  • Confidence in math

  • No difference in final exam scores

  • Both groups reported increased confidence

  • Recommends offering multiple instructional modes

Lancaster 2001

PLATO Software vs. traditional lecture in elementary algebra

  • Course withdrawals

  • Satisfactory grades

  • Computer Assisted Instruction (CAI) resulted in 7-percent decrease in number of withdrawals

  • 12-percent increase in number of satisfactory grades

  • 11-percent decrease in unsatisfactory grades

  • Quasi-experimental design with control group consisting of students in prior year

  • No control for student characteristics

Livingston 2001

Computer Algebra System (CAS) vs. traditional method with calculators in intermediate algebra

  • No statistically significant difference in ability to perform mathematics by hand

  • CAS group performed better in ability to solve higher-order reasoning by hand

  • Quasi-experimental nonrandom control group design

  • No control for student characteristics

  • Self-selection bias

McClendon and McArdle 2002

Traditional vs. lecture/compu-ters vs. Assessment LEarning in Knowledge Spaces (ALEKS)

  • Course completion (letter grade of C or better)

  • Without eliminating withdrawals, traditional had highest completion

  • Netting out withdrawals, no difference

  • Recommends offering multiple instructional modes

Miglietti et al. 2002

Relationship between age and gender on learning styles, and between teacher style and classroom outcomes

  • Principles of Adult Learning

  • Adult Classroom Environment Scale

  • Adaptive Style Inventory

  • Adult underprepared students in learner-centered developmental English classrooms achieved higher grades than similar students in teacher-centered classrooms

  • No age or gender effects on classroom environment or learning style preference

  • Effect of age and teaching style on developmental mathematics was not possible

  • Withdrawals are not accounted for

Quinn 2003

PLATO Software for arithmetic and elementary algebra

  • Absolute increase in scores on computerized placement test (CPT)

  • Relationship between time spent on software and increase in CPT scores

  • Statistically significant increase for all students in pretest and posttest CPT scores

  • Each additional hour spent results in 0.61 to 1.86 percent improvement in CPT posttest score

  • No comparison group

  • Does not control for student characteristics

Sinclair Community College 2003

Relationship between time since last developmental mathematics course and first college-level math course

  • Average GPA in course

  • Success rate

  • Average GPA is significantly lower when students delay 3 terms

  • Success rate is not affected

  • Factors affecting choice to delay subsequent math courses are not measured or controlled for

Waycaster 2001

Lecture with lab vs. individualized computer-aided instruction

  • Pass rate

  • Retention

  • Graduation rate

  • Success was independent of instruction method

  • Developmental mathematics students had higher retention than regular students




  • Self-selection bias

  • No control for student characteristics

  • No statistical test for differences conducted

  • Metrics not well-defined

Wheland et al. 2003

Perceived inhibitors to student success in intermediate algebra

  • Midsemester tests

  • Final exam scores

  • GPA

  • Nonnative instructors do not have negative impact on success

  • Performance in intermediate algebra correlated with overall semester GPA

  • Attendance highly correlated with success

  • Grade in intermediate algebra predictive of performance in higher math

  • Self-selection bias

  • Does not control for student characteristics







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