Action Research Project: Math 098 on Steroids

John Frey Winter 2010

Purpose: To improve the retention rate and success of students moving or matriculating from Math 098 to Math 099

  1. Description of the Project: The project was actually born out of a comment in the student evaluation summary from Fall Quarter 2009. That comment was that students in Math 099 that quarter that had come from my Math 098 class were commenting that the Math 099 was more rigorous and that Math 098 should be closer to Math 099 so as to better prepare students. The project, then, consisted of the following changes:
  2. Methodolgies:
  1. Changed the priority or weight given to attendance and homework from 25% of the overall grade to 10%.
  2. Added a final exam.
  3. Students are still allowed to retake failed or low score exams, but the second exam is more rigorous than the first. (suggestion from Justin)
  4. Rewrote tests to reflect the teaching of “deeper understanding” problems
  5. Changed my demeanor to make myself look meaner.

3. Assessment methods: I think that the effectiveness of this will take time to measure. I started during winter quarter of 2010 and noticed no difference in the number of passing grades and grades above average in Math 098. I believe that it will take more of a longitudinal (how’s that for educational jargon) study to determine the effect on the students in Math 099.

4. I have adopted these changes and anticipate more changes, but I will also continue to do the things that I have found over the years to help developmental math students be successful here at NorthwestIndianCollege. For instance, I think that Math 099 could have a softer, gentler side as well. For instance, offering a study lab just for Math 099 students (a set time where students could work on homework and/or coursework together) with the instructor there to troubleshoot for students who need help. Allow Math 099 students to retake tests with the understanding that the instructor must go over the first test with the student, and that the second tests may be more rigorous than the original. I also will continue to allow students to make up missed classes in lab on a two for one basis (that is two hours of lab equals one hour of class). I will also continue to say when students walk in tardy, “And that’s how you get to heaven”. (A suggestion from Cynthia Wilson)