Team-Based Problem-Solving in a Measure Theory Course for Mathematics Students

Students taking the Measure Theory and Integration course often have difficulties in constructing proofs and understanding theorems due to its high level of theoretical abstraction. To address this problem, we implemented an active learning strategy through problem-solving and team-based learning. In the strategy, we included three types of problems: propose examples and counterexamples, justify part of a proof, and prove a theorem or mathematical property. We present the experience and some reflections on the strategy based on the students’ perceptions. In general, students agreed that the strategy helped them to learn the concepts and theorems, as well as to improve their ability to construct proofs and solve mathematical problems. In addition, areas for improvement in the implementation of the strategy were detected, particularly in the collaboration within the teams and the role of the instructor. We provide details and some recommendations in this regard.