Improving STEM’s Calculus education using cross-countries best teaching practices

Abstract

A recently completed study by the Mathematical Association of America outlined the main points for improving Calculus education for STEM students based on the experience of teaching math in the USA. In this paper, we expand this study with the best calculus teaching practices from multiple countries. Our methodology initially followed the Program for International Student Assessment (PISA) study and then was significantly modified due to the difference between school and University education. We started by comparing the practices of two countries with traditionally different education systems. We described and analyzed factual differences and similarities of content, pedagogy and socio economics, based on an adjusted to higher education international comparison system developed by Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development for high school education. We outlined our work on culturally independent comparison methods with a goal of improving or adjusting Calculus education.