Do Left or Right Brain Training Exercises Have the Greater Effect upon College Calculus Achievement?
Research supports the premise that various mathematical topics can be categorized as being performed better by the left or right brain hemisphere. This study examined the effect of left and right brain hemispheric lateralization exercises upon course grades in two sections of Analysis I (beginning calculus for mathematics/science majors) at a small liberal arts college for black women. In one section, 25 students were given two different types of logical-verbal left brain activities. In the other section, 30 students were given two different types of viseo-spatial right brain activities. Torrance’s “Style of Learning and Thinking” was used to assess students’ lateralization preferences. There was no significant difference in course grade means between the two treatment groups. However, left dominant subjects in the left brain treatment group scored higher on course grade than left dominant subjects in the right brain treatment group. Also, right dominant subjects in the right brain tre
