The Impact of Experiential Learning Methodology on Students’ Conceptual Knowledge in Calculus

This study aims to find out the impact of experiential learning on students’ conceptual knowledge in Calculus of Senior High School (S.H.S) two students in Ghana. Conceptual understanding of calculus is crucial in the fields of applied sciences, business, and engineering and technology subjects. However, the current position of students understanding of limit of functions and derivatives indicates that students possess only procedural knowledge developed from rote learning of procedures in calculus without insight of core concepts. Hence, the researcher used quasi-experimental design involving two sample groups: experiment and control group to determine the effectiveness of experiential learning in promoting student’s conceptual knowledge. The sampling technique was purposive involving 67 students from SHS two students of Krobo Community Day SHS in Techiman North District of Ghana in the academic year of 2022/2023. The instrument used in this research was multiple choice test consisting of 25 questions. The data analysis in this research used independent sample t-test to examine the research question. The results of the study show t(df) = -6.657, p= 0.000 which is less than α = 0.05 which means that there is a significant difference between the experimental and control group, implies experiential learning methodology in Mathematics is effective to improve the students’ conceptual knowledge in calculus in the experimental group. Recommendations include adoption of experiential learning method by mathematics teachers as an effective teaching pedagogy and Planners of mathematics curriculum and all other subjects’ curriculum should include experiential learning techniques. This will make learners develop positive attitude towards the study of mathematics.