Rebecca Awuah

Mathematics Lecturer, 2008 to present
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Master in Teaching, Seattle University, USA
Bachelor of Science, The Evergreen State College, USA

PhD Candidate, Comparative International Development Education, University of Minnesota, USA

Teaching Statement

Whether the course is Precalculus or Statistics, Giving Voice to Values, a Mindset workshop during first-year orientation, or teacher training in Berekuso, my approach to teaching is the same: design classroom experiences that engage learners in constructing their own understanding, making real-world connections, and having “aha moments” that represent significant learning. Equally important are supporting the development of personal qualities, such as curiosity, persistence, and a growth mindset. I am a firm believer in the importance of independent practice in mathematics. Developing the ability to learn independently is key to overcoming fear of math and to building skills quantitative reasoning and problem solving, skills essential for many disciplines and professions.

Courses taught at Ashesi:

Precalculus & Problem Solving
Probability and Statistics
Giving Voice to Values
College Algebra
Applied Calculus

Research and Scholarly Interests

Berekuso Impact Study. The purpose of this household survey is to generate time-series data for multidisciplinary research on the demographic and socio-economic factors of change as Berekuso transitions from a rural agrarian settlement to an urban suburb of Greater Accra. In collaboration with Dr. Richard Douglass, Emeritus Professor, Eastern Michigan University, the 2014 pilot survey tested an innovative and cost-effective area sampling approach to generating a probability sample representative of socio-economic diversity without relying on existing census data, household or other registers, or a regular layout of roads and dwellings. A second survey was conducted in 2017, focusing on demographic and household factors, education, migration, and digital finance. The 2020 survey is pending.

Fund for Service to Children and Youth. The Fund for Service to Children and Youth, supported by a grant from the Ford Foundation, seeks to impact children and youth in Ghana through small grants to student run service projects in areas such as science, math, and ICT education, mentorship and career counseling, sanitation, quality childcare, and youth in agriculture. Students who receive funding for their projects gain skills in leadership and project management, and the program brings equity and breadth to university-community service.

Giving Voice to Values. Giving Voice to Values (GVV) is a curriculum that goes beyond ethical awareness and analysis to teach skills in ethical action. GVV provides a set of examples, tools, and a methodology for rehearsing and refining tactics, scripts, and approaches to values-driven behaviors. I spearheaded the implementation of the curriculum at Ashesi University in 2011, and continue to conduct training for facilitators and outside organizations.

Statistics Education. I have overseen Ashesi University’s transition from a traditional-style textbook-based introductory statistics course to a project-based, flipped classroom approach that utilizes a range of new technologies. Students use real data, such as Afrobarometer and Demographic and Health Surveys, to develop testable hypotheses, conduct statistical tests, and present the results of their research in the form of an academic poster.

Publications and Conferences

Awuah, R., Agyepong, S., & Kwarase, P. (2020). Leadership Education through Extracurricular Civic Engagement. Partnerships: A Journal of Service Learning & Civic Engagement, 11(1), 257–274. http://libjournal.uncg.edu/prt/issue/view/171
Awuah, R., Douglass, R., Agyepong, S., Kuwornu, E. (2017). An Adaptive Household Sampling Method for Rural African Communities. African Journal of Food Agriculture Nutrition and Development 17(1), pp 11477-11496. DOI: 10.18697/ajfand.77.16680. https://www.ajfand.net/Volume17/No1/index.html#gsc.tab=0
Awuah, R., Agyepong, S., Acquaah, J. (2019). Leadership Education through Extracurricular Civic Engagement. Poster presented at the 2019 Ghana Global Community Engaged-Learning Symposium. Hosted by Michigan State University and Adanu, June 24-29, 2019, Ho, Ghana.
Awuah, R., Acquaah, J. (2016, October). Cultivating a Civic Engagement Ecosystem in an African Liberal Arts University. Paper presented at the Global Alliance Institute for Civic Engagement, Kalamazoo College, Kalamazoo, MI.
Gentile, M. (2015). Chapter: Learning about Ethical Leadership Through the Giving Voice to Values Curriculum. In Developing Ethical Leaders (p.39-52). John Wiley & Sons. (Contributed Ashesi University Case).