Tackling the Gender Gap in Mathematics with Active Learning Methodologies

Maria Laura Di Tommaso (), Dalit Contini (), Dalila De Rosa, Francesca Ferrara, Daniela Piazzalunga and Ornella Robutti
Additional contact information
Maria Laura Di Tommaso: University of Torino
Dalit Contini: University of Torino
Dalila De Rosa: University of Torino
Francesca Ferrara: University of Torino
Ornella Robutti: University of Torino

No 14572, IZA Discussion Papers from Institute of Labor Economics (IZA)

Abstract: We implement a teaching methodology aimed at improving primary school children's mathematical skills. The methodology, grounded in active and cooperative learning, focuses on peer interaction, sharing of ideas, learning from mistakes, and problem solving. We evaluate the causal effect of the intervention on the gender gap in mathematics in Italy with a randomized controlled trial. The treatment significantly improves girls' math performance (0.14 s.d.), with no impact on boys, and reduces the math gender gap by more than 40%. The effect is stronger for girls with high pre-test scores.

Keywords: gender gap; mathematics; school achievement; primary school; active learning; teaching methodologies; randomized controlled trial (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: C93 I21 I24 J16 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Pages: 82 pages
Date: 2021-07
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-isf and nep-ure
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (7)

Published - published in: Economics of Education Review, 2024, 100, 102538

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Related works:
Journal Article: Tackling the gender gap in mathematics with active learning methodologies (2024)
Working Paper: Tackling the gender gap in mathematics with active learning methodologies (2021)
Working Paper: Tackling the gender gap in mathematics with active learning methodologies (2021)
Working Paper: Tackling the gender gap in mathematics with active learning methodologies (2021)
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