Student perceptions of a guided inquiry approach to a service-taught ordinary differential equations course

Abstract

This paper reports on data obtained during semi-structured interviews with students who had recently experienced a guided inquiry approach to learning ordinary differential equations (ODEs) in a service-taught module. Previous research identified the strengths and weaknesses of similar cohorts of students. The results from that research informed the design of an intervention (15 guided inquiry tutorials) which sought to improve the outcomes for students taking a subsequent version of the module. This paper reports on the data gathered during interviews with these students that describe their perceptions of the guided inquiry approach used. The students noticed the change in emphasis toward conceptual understanding that the intervention was trying to instil. They cited the change in questioning style most frequently as being where they saw this change, but also noted the prevalence of group work and change in interaction pattern as keys to its success. Thus, by probing students’ opinions in this way, we find validation for a guided inquiry approach to teaching ordinary differential equations in third level that emphasizes active learning and lateral interactions among students. The students’ personal goal orientation and the goal structure of the learning environment are also discussed.