Trends in Teaching and Learning of Mathematical Modelling

This book contains suggestions for and reflections on the teaching, learning and assessing of mathematical modelling and applications in a rapidly changing world, including teaching and learning environments. It addresses all levels of education from universities and technical colleges to secondary and primary schools. Sponsored by the International Community of Teachers of Mathematical Modelling and Applications (ICTMA), it reflects recent ideas and methods contributed by specialists from 30 countries in Africa, the Americas, Asia, Australia and Europe. Inspired by contributions to the Fourteenth Conference on the Teaching of Mathematical Modelling and Applications (ICTMA14) in Hamburg, 2009, the book describes the latest trends in the teaching and learning of mathematical modelling at school and university including teacher education. The broad and versatile range of topics will stress the international state-of-the-art on the following issues:

Theoretical reflections on the teaching and learning of modelling

Modelling competencies

Cognitive perspectives on modelling

Modelling examples for all educational levels

Practice of modelling in school and at university level

Practices in Engineering and Applications

• ICTMA
• Mathematical modelling
• Modelling competencies
• Modelling practices

"ICTMA14 was inspiring and as a first-time participant, I immediately felt that I was a part of this stimulating group."

Usha Kotelawala (New York State University, USA)

"The conference provided the participants with a comprehensive and multi-faceted overview of the state-of-the-art of mathematical modelling in school and university, both as regards developmental practice and research."

Mogens Niss (Roskilde University, Denmark)

"I was able to understand how the Brazilian approach to modeling contrast with the other ones practiced all over the world."

Marcelo Borba (Rio Claro, Brazil)

• FB Erziehungswissenschaft, Inst. Didaktik der Mathematik, Universität Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany

  Gabriele Kaiser

• Abt. Mathematik/Informatik, Universität Kassel, Kassel, Germany

  Werner Blum

• University of Hamburg, Germany, Hamburg, Germany

  Rita Borromeo Ferri

• University of Melbourne, Australia, Victoria, Australia

  Gloria Stillman

Gabriele Kaiser is a Professor of Mathematics Education at the University of Hamburg. She holds a master’s degree as a teacher for mathematics and humanities and completed her doctorate in mathematics education on applications and modelling. She is Editor-in-Chief of “ZDM – The International Journal on Mathematics Education (formerly Zentralblatt fuer Didaktik der Mathematik) and since July 2007 she serves as president of the “International Community of Teachers of Modelling and Applications” (ICTMA), an ICMI affiliated Study Group.

Werner Blum is a Professor of Mathematics Education at the University of Kassel. He got a Ph.D. in Pure Mathematics in 1970 from the University of Karlsruhe. His main research areas include empirical studies into the teaching and learning of mathematics and the professional knowledge of mathematics teachers, national and international comparative studies (especially PISA), quality development in mathematics teaching as well as applications and modelling in mathematics education.

Rita Borromeo Ferri is a Guest Professor of Mathematics Education at the University of Hamburg. She holds a master’s degree as a teacher for mathematics and geography and completed her doctorate in mathematics education on mathematical thinking styles and her post-doc study on applications and modelling. She taught several years in school and got a teaching award of the Faculty of Education at University of Hamburg.

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