ERIC Number: EJ1128242
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2014-Jul
Pages: 8
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: EISSN-2254-7339
EISSN: N/A
Available Date: N/A
Solving Math and Science Problems in the Real World with a Computational Mind
Olabe, Juan Carlos; Basogain, Xabier; Olabe, Miguel Ángel; Maíz, Inmaculada; Castaño, Carlos
Journal of New Approaches in Educational Research, v3 n2 p75-82 Jul 2014
This article presents a new paradigm for the study of Math and Sciences curriculum during primary and secondary education. A workshop for Education undergraduates at four different campuses (n = 242) was designed to introduce participants to the new paradigm. In order to make a qualitative analysis of the current school methodologies in mathematics, participants were introduced to a taxonomic tool for the description of K-12 Math problems. The tool allows the identification, decomposition and description of Type-A problems, the characteristic ones in the traditional curriculum, and of Type-B problems in the new paradigm. The workshops culminated with a set of surveys where participants were asked to assess both the current and the new proposed paradigms. The surveys in this study revealed that according to the majority of participants: (i) The K-12 Mathematics curricula are designed to teach students exclusively the resolution of Type-A problems; (ii) real life Math problems respond to a paradigm of Type-B problems; and (iii) the current Math curriculum should be modified to include this new paradigm.
Descriptors: Problem Solving, Elementary Secondary Education, Undergraduate Students, Teaching Methods, Mathematics Instruction, Mathematics Curriculum, Foreign Countries, Student Surveys, Relevance (Education), Interviews, Teacher Attitudes, College Faculty, Preservice Teachers
University of Alicante. Carretera San Vincente del Raspeig, Alicante, 03690, Spain. Tel: +34-96-590-3721; Fax: +35-96-590-3464; e-mail: editor.naerjournal@ua.es; Web site: https://naerjournal.ua.es
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Elementary Secondary Education; Higher Education; Postsecondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Spain
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A
Author Affiliations: N/A