Connected Mathematics Through Mathematical Modelling and.doc

Connected Mathematics Through Mathematical Modelling and Applications Gloria Stillman University of Melbourne Locating mathematical tasks in meaningful contexts is often claimed to be enriching for students as their mathematical experiences become connected to real life experiences. Such tasks are mathematical applications connecting classroom mathematics to the outside world. Mathematical modelling, on the other hand, connects from the outside world into the classroom and can be used as a means of developing the cognitive connections that are needed to understand mathematics as a discipline. Introduction According to Hanna and Barbeau (2008), “those students whose learning is most robust are likely to be those who have developed a multifaceted way of looking at mathematical facts. Their knowledge is rich with many connections and corroborations” (p. 351). Locating mathematical tasks in meaningful contexts is often claimed to be enriching for students as their mathematical experiences become connected to real life experiences (e.g., Zbiek Connor, 2006, p. 89). Such tasks are mathematical applications connecting classroom mathematics to the outside world. Mathematical modelling, on the other hand, connects from the outside world into the classroom. Muller and Burkhardt (2007, p. 269) claim that “context-based mathematical modeling provides ideal settings to blend content and process so as to produce flexible mathematical competence.” Further, by engaging in the iterative process of modelling and its associated processes “students develop the cognitive connections required to understand mathematics as a discipline” (p. 269). Making Connections through Mathematical Applications “Using mathematics to solve real world problems…is often called applying mathematics, and a real world problem which has been addressed by means of mathematics is called an application of mathematics” (Niss, Blum, Galbraith, 2007, p. 10). Teachers’ motivation for using applications is usually