Bridging the Gap: Outcomes of a Long-term Quantitative Skills Program in Introductory Physical Geology Classrooms at a Large Community College

Session: Quantitative and Data Analysis Skills in Geoscience Education: Supporting Student, Course, and Program Outcomes, Part II

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Abstract:

The quantitative literacy (QL) of students taking introductory geology courses at two-year colleges is often at a deficit, with few students arriving with adequate mathematical skills related to the geosciences such as calculating rates, gradients, isotopic ages, and reading graphs. This deficit, in addition to the high variability of foundational QL skills from student to student, can make it difficult to both assess and alleviate deficits for affected students.

Since 2013, geology faculty at Wake Technical Community College have been using The Math You Need, When You Need It (TMYN) modules via SERC for the topics of Calculating Rates, Reading Graphs, and Slope and Scale. A standard assessment for the Rates module has been tracked continuously since 2013 and shows an overall ~1% increase in student proficiency rates each year, with no clear patterns related to instructional modality. The implementation of these modules, assessment standards, and student outcomes of this program are presented.