TY - JOUR
T1 - Changing students’ beliefs about the relevance of mathematics in an advanced secondary mathematics class
AU - Gijsbers, D.A.H.
AU - de Putter - Smits, Lesley
AU - Pepin, Birgit
PY - 2020/1/2
Y1 - 2020/1/2
N2 - This study shows that using authentic contexts for learning differential equations in a differentiation-by-interest setting can enhance students’ beliefs about the relevance of mathematics. The students in this study were studying advanced mathematics (wiskunde D) at upper secondary school in the Netherlands. These students are often not aware of the relevance of the mathematics they have to learn in school. More insights into the application of mathematics in other sciences can be beneficial for these students in terms of preparation for their future study and career. A course differentiating by student interest with new context-rich curriculum materials was developed in order to enhance students’ beliefs about the relevance of mathematics. The intervention aimed at teaching differential equations through guided small-group tasks in scientific, medical or economical contexts. The results show that students’ beliefs about the relevance of mathematics improved, and they appreciated experiencing how the mathematics was applied in real-life situations.
AB - This study shows that using authentic contexts for learning differential equations in a differentiation-by-interest setting can enhance students’ beliefs about the relevance of mathematics. The students in this study were studying advanced mathematics (wiskunde D) at upper secondary school in the Netherlands. These students are often not aware of the relevance of the mathematics they have to learn in school. More insights into the application of mathematics in other sciences can be beneficial for these students in terms of preparation for their future study and career. A course differentiating by student interest with new context-rich curriculum materials was developed in order to enhance students’ beliefs about the relevance of mathematics. The intervention aimed at teaching differential equations through guided small-group tasks in scientific, medical or economical contexts. The results show that students’ beliefs about the relevance of mathematics improved, and they appreciated experiencing how the mathematics was applied in real-life situations.
KW - Education
KW - differential equations
KW - differentiation by interest
KW - relevance of mathematics
KW - task design
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85075128337&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1080/0020739X.2019.1682698
DO - 10.1080/0020739X.2019.1682698
M3 - Article
SN - 0020-739X
VL - 51
SP - 87
EP - 102
JO - International Journal of Mathematical Education in Science and Technology
JF - International Journal of Mathematical Education in Science and Technology
IS - 1
ER -