Collaborative workshops and student academic performance in introductory college mathematics courses: A study of a Treisman model math excel program

School Science and Mathematics, Nov 2000 by Duncan, Hollis, Dick, Thomas

This study provides some promising supportive evidence of the efficacy of the Emerging Scholars workshop model for introductory college mathematics courses. Questions remain about the dynamics of the model: How does it work? What are the aspects ofthe peer discourse that different students find so effective? The model has been adapted to other disciplines, including biology, chemistry, and physics. Evaluation of the model in these contexts may provide additional insights.

The Treisman model of collaborative problem solving is not a panacea for helping introductory college mathematics students achieve higher performance and retention. However, this study provides powerful supporting evidence that programs like Math Excel can help students in making a successful transition to college mathematics study.

Editor's Note: Hollis Duncan, Department of Science and Mathematics Education, Oregon State University; Thomas Dick Department of Mathematics, Oregon State University.

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