Mathematical Modelling for Teachers: A Practical Guide to Applicable Mathematics Education

✍ Scribed by Jürgen Maaß, Niamh O’Meara, Patrick Johnson, John O’Donoghue

• Publisher: Springer International Publishing
• Year: 2018
• Tongue: English
• Leaves: 168
• Series: Springer Texts in Education
• Edition: 1st ed.
• Category: Library

✦ Synopsis

While there are many areas of focus in mathematics education, there are many good reasons for offering applicablemathematics education in schools. Let us just mention two of the most important reasons. On the one hand, a focus on the practical side of mathematics presents a convincing and motivating answer to the typical student question: ‘Why study mathematics?’ On the other hand, education policy seems inclined to move in this direction by implementing international testing, curricula and catalogues of skills.

The most important feature of this book is that the authors speak directly to you, the mathematics teachers. The authors attempt to draw you into a continuous dialogue about activities you are asked to engage in as learners. You are asked to do something, and through doing and reflecting you will gain first-hand experience of new approaches and materials. In this way, you can learn to teach applicable mathematics to your students using your own experience as learners of applicable mathematics, motivated and supported by the book.

Here applicable mathematics education is the phrase we use to describe reality-based mathematics education. Reality-based mathematics relies heavily on problem solving and a positive disposition to engage with mathematics. Modelling reality and simulating selected aspects of reality are other pillars of reality-based mathematics education.

✦ Table of Contents

Front Matter ....Pages i-xvi
Introduction to Modelling (Jürgen Maaß, Niamh O’Meara, Patrick Johnson, John O’Donoghue)....Pages 1-21
Motivation—Why Teach Applicable Mathematics? (Jürgen Maaß, Niamh O’Meara, Patrick Johnson, John O’Donoghue)....Pages 23-29
Adapting Textbook Problems to Create a More Reality-Based Mathematics Education (Jürgen Maaß, Niamh O’Meara, Patrick Johnson, John O’Donoghue)....Pages 31-42
Tasks Derived from Everyday Occurrences (Jürgen Maaß, Niamh O’Meara, Patrick Johnson, John O’Donoghue)....Pages 43-79
An Example of a More Extensive Project (Jürgen Maaß, Niamh O’Meara, Patrick Johnson, John O’Donoghue)....Pages 81-113
How Do Experts Model? Using This Knowledge and Understanding in the Mathematics Classroom (Jürgen Maaß, Niamh O’Meara, Patrick Johnson, John O’Donoghue)....Pages 115-126
Further Tips for Teachers Who Want to Implement Applicable Mathematics Education (Jürgen Maaß, Niamh O’Meara, Patrick Johnson, John O’Donoghue)....Pages 127-138
Empirical Findings on Modelling in Mathematics Education (Jürgen Maaß, Niamh O’Meara, Patrick Johnson, John O’Donoghue)....Pages 139-147
Teaching Real World Mathematics: Some Background Theory (Jürgen Maaß, Niamh O’Meara, Patrick Johnson, John O’Donoghue)....Pages 149-159

✦ Subjects

Education; Mathematics Education; Teaching and Teacher Education; Learning and Instruction; Critical Thinking; Life Skills