Teaching College Algebra Using Supplemental Instruction Versus the Traditional Lecture Method‪.‬

ABSTRACT Trying to improve students' academic success has been the focus of many universities across the country. The success of a student begins in the classroom. One of the most troublesome and sometimes terrifying course for students is College Algebra. At Valdosta State University we have tried different methods such as a WEB delivery course and teaching with computerized instruction to improve students' success. For the past two years, at Valdosta State University the Department of Mathematics and Computer Science has been teaching College Algebra (MATH 1111) via a Supplemental Instruction (SI) method. The students' performance on the departmental final exam for the treatment group, SI method, versus the control group, traditional lecture method, was compared. The SI method showed no significant difference on the departmental final exam. Then we compared the mean SAT scores for the two groups. The SI method showed significantly lower SAT scores. It is clear that weaker students in mathematics that take the SI courses can perform on the average on the final exam just as well as the students in the traditional courses.