Center for Teaching & Learning
Yale-NUS Teaching Innovation
Grant
Grant Recipients for AY2016/2017
Learning Diversity in
Conceptual Calculus &
Applied Calculus
By: Associate Professor of Mathematics,
Matthew Stamps
Supporting Conceptual Calculus and Applied
Calculus

Exploring improved learning with StrengthsFinder
Online assessment tool

Attending the AACU 2017 Conference on Diversity,
Learning, and Student Success
Our project aims to develop effective techniques for enhancing team-based learning in entry-level math
and science — specifically calculus — courses through established methods, rooted in positive
psychology, for promoting self-awareness, better team communication, and strengths-based
teamwork.
Building on traditional approaches to team-based learning in the mathematical sciences, we used the
online assessment tool, StrengthsFinder, to assemble balanced teams with a variety of individual
strengths represented in each and incorporated several methods from Intergroup Dialogue to promote
a brave space for inquiry and learning. Our primary objective was to help our students develop teambuilding skills for creative problem solving in a multicultural context, recognizing that every team
members bring unique strengths to the team. A secondary goal was to learn how this strengths-based
approach may lead to improved individual and team performance.
Students learned about their own strengths and how to interact with individuals of different profiles.
In-class teamwork was monitored throughout the semester and individual performance analytics was
collected through an online homework system, WeBWorK, developed by the Mathematical Association
of America.
We plan compare our qualitative observations of team dynamics with the individual performance data
from WeBWorK and look for potential correlations which could lead to future research. We are also
planning to attend two conferences — the Association of American Colleges and Universities
conference on Diversity, Learning, and Student Success and the Qatar Institute for Intercultural
Communication Workshops — to learn more about best practices for inclusive teaching and gain
insights on how to incorporate more intercultural engagement into future Yale-NUS courses.
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Center for Teaching & Learning
www.teaching.yale-nus.edu.sg | [email protected]
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