ENHANCING PERCEPTUAL REASONING THROUGH ACTIVE CALCULUS INSTRUCTION: A NEUROPSYCHOLOGICAL PILOT STUDY IN ENGINEERING EDUCATION

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Abstract

Calculus, a cornerstone of mathematics that explores continuous change through differentiation and integration, is pivotal for higher education in engineering and STEM careers. Yet, its instruction presents challenges, with many students grappling with its complexity, accentuating the need for innovative teaching strategies. Grounded in the nexus between calculus and higher cognitive functions, this research evaluates the outcomes of a student-centered approach in enhancing understanding and applying calculus and seeks to determine its impact on broader cognitive functions. Employing a pretest-retest design with control and intervention groups, we merge cognitive evaluations, including subtests from the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale, with calculus performance assessments. Our results revealed the intervention group exhibited enhanced calculus performance and improvement in the perceptual reasoning index, especially in block design subtest, reflecting enhanced visuospatial skills. This study offers valuable perspectives for improving calculus instruction and potentially improving students' cognitive capabilities by implementing a student-centered approach.

Keywords: Calculus; Education; Cognitive Functions; Visuospatial abilities.

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Published

27.02.2026

How to Cite

Jiménez , R. D., Arancibia-Carvajal , S., Terrazas-Nuñez , W., Huerta , E., Fuentes , L., Herrán , N., & Domic-Siede , M. (2026). ENHANCING PERCEPTUAL REASONING THROUGH ACTIVE CALCULUS INSTRUCTION: A NEUROPSYCHOLOGICAL PILOT STUDY IN ENGINEERING EDUCATION. Panamerican Journal of Neuropsychology, 20(1), 126–145. Retrieved from https://cnps.cl/index.php/cnps/article/view/615

Issue

Vol. 20 No. 1 (2026): CNPs

Section

Original Papers

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Copyright (c) 2026 Raúl D. Jiménez , Susana Arancibia-Carvajal , Walter Terrazas-Nuñez , Ema Huerta , Loreto Fuentes , Nathalia Herrán , Marcos Domic-Siede

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