Assessing Long-Term Effects of Inquiry-Based Learning: A Case Study from College Mathematics
Abstract As student-centered approaches to teaching and learning are more widely applied,
researchers must assess the outcomes of these interventions across a range of courses and
institutions. As an example of such assessment, this study examined the impact of inquiry-based
learning (IBL) in college mathematics on undergraduates’ subsequent grades and course
selection at two institutions. Insight is gained upon disaggregating results by course type
(IBL vs. non-IBL), by gender, and by prior mathematics achievement level. In particular, the
impact of IBL on previously low-achieving students’ grades is sizable and persistent. The
authors offer some methodological advice to guide future such studies.