Award Abstract # 2011807
Transforming Lower Division Undergraduate Mathematics Through Team-Based Inquiry Learning

NSF Org: DUE
Division Of Undergraduate Education
Recipient: UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH ALABAMA
Initial Amendment Date: August 12, 2020
Latest Amendment Date: July 25, 2024
Award Number: 2011807
Award Instrument: Standard Grant
Program Manager: Mike Ferrara
mferrara@nsf.gov
 (703)292-2635
DUE
 Division Of Undergraduate Education
EDU
 Directorate for STEM Education
Start Date: October 1, 2020
End Date: September 30, 2025 (Estimated)
Total Intended Award Amount: $579,762.00
Total Awarded Amount to Date: $653,896.00
Funds Obligated to Date: FY 2020 = $579,762.00
FY 2024 = $74,134.00
History of Investigator:
  • Steven Clontz (Principal Investigator)
    sclontz@southalabama.edu
  • Shiladitya Chaudhury (Co-Principal Investigator)
  • Julie Estis (Co-Principal Investigator)
  • Christopher Parrish (Co-Principal Investigator)
  • Andrew Lewis (Former Principal Investigator)
  • Steven Clontz (Former Co-Principal Investigator)
Recipient Sponsored Research Office: University of South Alabama
307 UNIVERSITY BLVD
MOBILE
AL  US  36688
(251)460-6333
Sponsor Congressional District: 01
Primary Place of Performance: University of South Alabama
411 University Blvd.
Mobile
AL  US  36688-0002
Primary Place of Performance
Congressional District:
01
Unique Entity Identifier (UEI): QB12VPNQQFE8
Parent UEI:
NSF Program(s): IUSE
Primary Program Source: 04002425DB NSF STEM Education
04002021DB NSF Education & Human Resource
Program Reference Code(s): 9150, 9178, 8209
Program Element Code(s): 199800
Award Agency Code: 4900
Fund Agency Code: 4900
Assistance Listing Number(s): 47.076

ABSTRACT

This project aims to serve the national interest by improving the teaching and learning of undergraduate mathematics. It intends to do so by implementing Team-based inquiry learning, a collaborative form of inquiry-based learning, across three key introductory mathematics courses (Calculus I, II and Linear Algebra). Inquiry-based learning is an instructional technique shown to have many positive impacts on mathematics students. However, in undergraduate mathematics instruction, inquiry-based learning has been primarily used in upper division courses. By implementing team-based inquiry learning in these lower division mathematics courses, the project has the potential to serve a breadth of early STEM majors. Preliminary research at a single institution has shown team-based inquiry learning to improve students? content mastery and successful completion of introductory mathematics courses. This project?s research plan will examine whether these results extend to a broad array of institutions.

This project will recruit and train two cohorts of 15 mathematics faculty from multiple diverse institutions to implement team-based inquiry learning in their classrooms. These faculty will collaborate with the investigators to develop a publicly available library of mathematics team-based inquiry learning resources that other instructors can use in their courses. Ongoing virtual support will be provided to faculty as they implement team-based inquiry learning in their classes. Faculty practices and student achievement will be evaluated before and after the training in order to determine what level and what types of support are needed for faculty to effectively implement team-based inquiry learning in a way that leads to improved student success. This project aims to benefit the STEM education community by providing evidence about how inquiry-based learning can be effectively implemented in lower division mathematics courses. In addition, by providing students with meaningful opportunities to work in teams, it can also help students develop teamwork skills, which are important for success in most, if not all modern workplaces. The NSF IUSE: EHR Program supports research and development projects to improve the effectiveness of STEM education for all students. Through the Engaged Student Learning track, the program supports the creation, exploration, and implementation of promising practices and tools.

This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.

Please report errors in award information by writing to: awardsearch@nsf.gov.

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