Predictors of students’ conceptual understanding on finding volume of solids of revolutions in Integral Calculus

Abstract

Learning calculus concepts frustrates a lot of learners. This study assessed self-efficacy and previous mathematics performance (PMP) of Integral Calculus students and described the impact of these variables on their conceptual understanding on finding volume of solids of revolution (VSOR). This study utilized a quantitative non-experimental predictive research design for 86 students enrolled in Integral Calculus at the University of Science and Technology of Southern Philippines. A 6-item teacher-made open-ended test was used to quantify students’ conceptual understanding on finding VSOR. Frequency, percentage, mean and standard deviation, were used to determine students’ level of self-efficacy, previous mathematics performance, and their score in conceptual understanding test. Multiple regression analysis was used to determine if self-efficacy and previous mathematics performance are predictors of students’ conceptual understanding. Results showed that self-efficacy was a predictor of students’ conceptual understanding on finding VSOR and an important factor in the development of the profound understanding of the concepts of VSOR in Integral Calculus among students. Hence, it is recommended that calculus teachers should give emphasis on the development of the conceptual understanding moving away from teaching anchored merely on procedures. Moreover, calculus teachers need to explore on strategies that can effectively enhance students’ self-efficacy which is instrumental for students’ profound conceptual understanding of calculus concepts. Future research may be conducted in the face to face classes to establish generalizability of the results obtained because this study was conducted during the pandemic where the mode of instruction was online.