#462: Investigating Mid Semester Experiences of Primary Source Projects in Mathematics through Learning Experience Network Analysis

This study investigates undergraduate experiences with Primary Source Projects (PSPs) at the midpoint of a History of Mathematics course. We examined reflections from the third and fifth PSPs with learning experience network analysis (LENA) to understand how student strategies evolve after the initial adjustment period. The analysis revealed five clusters capturing key struggles and successes. Students reported continued difficulty interpreting historical notation but valued opportunities to contextualize ideas and compare them with modern methods. Collaboration consistently supported learning, with teamwork and discussion enhancing comprehension of complex arguments. These mid-semester findings illustrate how student experiences develop over time. They show collaboration shifting from a helpful supplement to a critical tool for managing conceptual complexity and point to design considerations for history-based mathematics instruction.