Made available in DSpace on 2014-06-11T19:26:00Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2011-11-30Bitstream added on 2014-06-13T18:06:36Z : No. of bitstreams: 1 santos_ctb_me_prud.pdf: 925781 bytes, checksum: 83b1b914578f53f51ec8e4512402f7e5 (MD5) / Esta pesquisa está vinculada à linha de pesquisa “Práticas e Processos Formativos em Educação” do Programa de Pós-Graduação em Educação – Mestrado da Faculdade de Ciências e Tecnologia da Universidade Estadual Paulista – UNESP, Campus Presidente Prudente. A preocupação com o tema vem da necessidade de incorporar, na prática pedagógica, didáticas e tecnologias que auxiliem os processos de ensino e aprendizagem em Matemática de forma a oportunizar aos alunos aprender significativamente os conteúdos matemáticos. Para isso, esta investigação pretende analisar a aprendizagem de conceitos matemáticos dos alunos do sétimo ano do Ensino Fundamental, por meio do desenvolvimento de um projeto de trabalho auxiliado pelas Tecnologias da Informação e Comunicação, bem como da utilização de recursos disponíveis no Portal do Professor, do Ministério da Educação. A prática pedagógica por meio de projetos de trabalho aponta a possibilidade de desenvolver os conteúdos curriculares, a partir dos interesses imediatos dos alunos, e de definir um currículo que dispõe os conhecimentos escolares de uma forma diferenciada da tradicional organização linear e conteudista. O Portal do Professor é um portal de conteúdos onde o professor pode encontrar estratégias para o ensino e sugestões para integrar a tecnologia em suas aulas. Para alcançar o objetivo proposto, a pesquisa foi delineada segundo a abordagem qualitativa empreendida pela pesquisa de intervenção numa escola pública da cidade de Juiz de Fora – MG. Os resultados mostraram que o ambiente criado pelo desenvolvimento de um projeto de trabalho, do uso das tecnologias e de recursos do Portal do Professor possibilitou uma nova forma de abordar os conceitos curriculares, aproximá-los da vivência dos alunos e de dar significado à aprendizagem dos conceitos matemáticos abordados / This research is linked to the research line “Practice in Education and Training Processes” of the Post-Graduate Education – Master of the Faculty of Science and Technology of the Universidade Estadual Paulista – UNESP, Presidente Prudente. The concern with the theme comes from the need to incorporate in teaching practice, teaching and technologies that aid the process of teaching and learning in mathematics in order to create opportunities for students to learn mathematical content significantly. To this end, this research intends to analyze the learning of mathematical concepts with seventh grade students of elementary school, through the development of a work project assisted by the Information and Communication Technologies as well as the use of available resources in the Teacher´s Portal, from the Ministery of Education. The pedagogical practice through work projects points to the possibility of developing curricula, from the immediate interests of the students, and to define a curriculum that provides students the knowledge in a different way from traditional linear organization and content. The Teacher´s Portal is a content portal where teachers can find strategies for teaching and suggestions for integrating technology into their lessons. To achieve the proposed objective, the research was designed according to the qualitative approach taken by intervention research in a public school in the city of Juiz de Fora – MG. The result show us that the environment created by the use of technologies and resources of the Teacher´s Portal made possible a new way to approach the curricular concept, bring it closer to the students and give a meaning to the learning of the addressed mathematical concepts

Orientador: Klaus Schlünzen Júnior / Banca: Maria Elisabete Brisola Brito Prado / Banca: Paulo César de Almeida Raboni / Resumo: Esta pesquisa está vinculada à linha de pesquisa "Práticas e Processos Formativos em Educação" do Programa de Pós-Graduação em Educação - Mestrado da Faculdade de Ciências e Tecnologia da Universidade Estadual Paulista - UNESP, Campus Presidente Prudente. A preocupação com o tema vem da necessidade de incorporar, na prática pedagógica, didáticas e tecnologias que auxiliem os processos de ensino e aprendizagem em Matemática de forma a oportunizar aos alunos aprender significativamente os conteúdos matemáticos. Para isso, esta investigação pretende analisar a aprendizagem de conceitos matemáticos dos alunos do sétimo ano do Ensino Fundamental, por meio do desenvolvimento de um projeto de trabalho auxiliado pelas Tecnologias da Informação e Comunicação, bem como da utilização de recursos disponíveis no Portal do Professor, do Ministério da Educação. A prática pedagógica por meio de projetos de trabalho aponta a possibilidade de desenvolver os conteúdos curriculares, a partir dos interesses imediatos dos alunos, e de definir um currículo que dispõe os conhecimentos escolares de uma forma diferenciada da tradicional organização linear e conteudista. O Portal do Professor é um portal de conteúdos onde o professor pode encontrar estratégias para o ensino e sugestões para integrar a tecnologia em suas aulas. Para alcançar o objetivo proposto, a pesquisa foi delineada segundo a abordagem qualitativa empreendida pela pesquisa de intervenção numa escola pública da cidade de Juiz de Fora - MG. Os resultados mostraram que o ambiente criado pelo desenvolvimento de um projeto de trabalho, do uso das tecnologias e de recursos do Portal do Professor possibilitou uma nova forma de abordar os conceitos curriculares, aproximá-los da vivência dos alunos e de dar significado à aprendizagem dos conceitos matemáticos abordados / Abstract: This research is linked to the research line "Practice in Education and Training Processes" of the Post-Graduate Education - Master of the Faculty of Science and Technology of the Universidade Estadual Paulista - UNESP, Presidente Prudente. The concern with the theme comes from the need to incorporate in teaching practice, teaching and technologies that aid the process of teaching and learning in mathematics in order to create opportunities for students to learn mathematical content significantly. To this end, this research intends to analyze the learning of mathematical concepts with seventh grade students of elementary school, through the development of a work project assisted by the Information and Communication Technologies as well as the use of available resources in the Teacher's Portal, from the Ministery of Education. The pedagogical practice through work projects points to the possibility of developing curricula, from the immediate interests of the students, and to define a curriculum that provides students the knowledge in a different way from traditional linear organization and content. The Teacher's Portal is a content portal where teachers can find strategies for teaching and suggestions for integrating technology into their lessons. To achieve the proposed objective, the research was designed according to the qualitative approach taken by intervention research in a public school in the city of Juiz de Fora - MG. The result show us that the environment created by the use of technologies and resources of the Teacher's Portal made possible a new way to approach the curricular concept, bring it closer to the students and give a meaning to the learning of the addressed mathematical concepts / Mestre

Nesta pesquisa, de abordagem qualitativa, discutimos o uso da Resolução de Problemas como metodologia de ensino em Matemática numa Perspectiva Metodológica a alunos do Ensino Médio. Tendo por objetivo geral contribuir para a melhoria do ensino-aprendizagem em Matemática. Durante três bimestres foram desenvolvidas atividades em três turmas da 2° série de uma escola publica da Rede Estadual de Ensino no município de Tremembé-SP. Essas atividades focalizavam os seguintes tópicos: as habilidades em que os alunos apresentavam defasagem, os diferentes tipos de problemas matemáticos sugeridos por Smole e Diniz (2001), a relação entre a Matemática e a Língua Materna e os processos cognitivos e metacognitivos. A coleta de dados deu-se por meio do diário de campo da professora-pesquisadora e dos registros produzidos pelos alunos ao longo das aulas. A análise dos dados aponta que na prática pedagógica, trabalhar com diferentes tipos de problemas aproxima a Matemática e a Língua Materna, ampliando a compreensão dos alunos, como também formular problemas ou parte dele embora se constitua uma tarefa desafiadora, contribui positivamente com o processo de resolução além de propiciar o início de reflexões de ordem metacognitiva. / In this qualitative research, we discuss the use of problems solving as a methodology of mathematics teaching in a methodologic perspective to high school students. With the general goal of contributing to the improvement of teaching-learning in mathematics, were developed activities in three classes of the second grade of a Public School of the State Teaching Network in the municipality of Tremembé-SP during three bimester. These activities focused on the following topics: the abilities in which the students presented lags, the different types of mathematical problems suggested by Smole and Diniz (2001), the relation between Mathematics and the Mother Language and the cognitive and metacognitive processes. The data collection was done through the teacher-researcher\'s field diary and the records produced by the students throughout the classes. The analysis of the data points out that in pedagogical practice, working with different types of problems brings the Mathematics and Mother Language closer, broadening the students comprehension, and formulating problems or part of it, although it is a challenging task, positively contributes to the resolution process beyond of propitiating the beginning of reflections of metacognitive order.

The Third Wave Project

The majority of research on the mathematics teaching and learning of students with mathematics learning dis/abilities is not performed in the field of mathematics education, but in the field of special education. Due to this theoretical divide, students with mathematics learning dis/abilities are far more likely to be in classes that emphasize memorization, direct instruction, and the explicit teaching of rules and procedures. Additionally, students with mathematics learning dis/abilities are often seen as "unable" to succeed in school mathematics and are characterized by their academic difficulties and deficits. The negative assumptions, beliefs, and expectations resulting from ableistic practices in the education system color the interactions educators, parents, and other students have with students with mathematics learning dis/abilities. These interactions in turn influence how students with mathematics learning dis/abilities view and position themselves as learners and doers of mathematics. My study builds on the theoretical framework of positioning theory (Harré, 2012) in order to better understand the mathematical identities of students with mathematics learning dis/abilities. The results of my study show how these students use their prepositions and enduring positions to inform the in-the-moment positions they take on in the mathematics classroom.

Mathematics permeates almost every aspect of human life and it is a skill much needed by the increasingly complex technological world. It is necessary that this essential skill must be properly developed among students to prepare them for future academic and professional careers. An assessment of the research-based instructional strategies blending with old traditional methods with the modern technological development is a must. Due to the complexity of mathematics learning and the varied learning styles of learners, an integration of appropriate multiple instructional strategies into mathematics education will positively impact mathematical achievement of students. The purpose of this research was to examine the effects of the use of Integrated Technologies Instructional Method (ITIM) as a supplement to the traditional lecture method on mathematics achievement of the Integral Calculus students at the College of Engineering, University of Ha'il, Saudi Arabia. The ITIM includes the four instructional strategies such as the use of the Computer-Supported Collaborative Learning, the collaborative learning, the bilingual support and the study support. Different types of academic supports have been used to examine their effects on students achievement in mathematics. Mathematics, the bedrock of science and engineering, is considered a very important indicator of a student's academic success in professional higher education. Undergraduate engineering students' low achievement in the first year mathematics is an issue demands much attention. The study was undertaken to address students' weak background in mathematics and particularly their high failure rates in this particular course. A total of 218 undergraduate engineering students, comprising of both the experimental and the control groups, were involved in this experimental design study. The control group was taught by the traditional lecture method whereas the experimental group was exposed to the ITIM as a supplement to the traditional lecture method. Apart from the effects of the use of ITIM, students' performance in the previous courses (covariates) such as mathematics, computer, and the English language were compared with their final grades of the Integral Calculus course. The final grades of students were taken as the dependent variable and the ITIM and students' scores in the previous courses as the independent variables. It has been noticed from the literature review that the application of only one instructional strategy does not address the needs of the diverse learning styles of students. A mixed mode method, quantitative and qualitative, was used to collect and analyse data. The quantitative data instruments included students' final exam grades and the student questionnaires. Interviews with students were used as qualitative tools of data collection. An independent t-test, ANOVA, univariate analysis and the stepwise multiple regression analysis were performed to determine the overall statistical significance. The study concluded that there was a statistically significant difference in the performance of the experimental group of students' in terms of their end-of-course grades compared to that of the control group. The regression model revealed significance of covariates on the dependent variable. However, no significant relationship was found between the mathematics achievement and attitudes towards the use of ITIM. The study was an attempt to demonstrate the suitability of the instructional strategies on the bilingual Arab undergraduate engineering students; however, they can probably be applicable to other bilingual students.

This thesis reports empirical and theoretical research into learning of mathematics and statistics at university level, with particular regard to students views of their self-confidence and experiences, and the effects of these on achievement. This study was conducted at a time of widespread national concern about difficulties in mathematics education in England, particularly at the transition from school to university Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) courses. Factors which affected non-specialist students learning of mathematics and statistics were investigated using student surveys in 2004/5, 2005/6 and 2006/7 (701 questionnaires) in the a-typical setting of a University College specialising in rural and land-based higher education. 52 student interviews were also carried out, primarily in 2008 and 2009, and are referred to but are not the main focus of this thesis. Both deductive and inductive approaches were used. Self-confidence was defined using three Mathematics Self-confidence Domains: Overall Confidence in Mathematics, Topic confidences for specific tasks, and Applications Confidence. Self-confidence was considered a belief, whilst liking of the subjects was an attitude, both forming part of affect , where affect comprised beliefs, attitudes and emotions. Student motivation was also investigated. The survey data, and examination and assignment marks, of engineering students learning mathematics and other non-specialist students learning statistics, were analysed both quantitatively (by descriptive statistics, ANOVA, Kruskal Wallis, Correlation, Multiple Regression, Factor and Cluster analyses) and qualitatively. Previous success in mathematics, primarily GCSE Mathematics grade, was found to be the greatest determinant of university students success in mathematics and statistics, but self-confidence and other affective variables also had significantly measurable effects. Significant effects on student confidence were also found for gender and dyslexia despite good achievement. Findings indicate that students self-confidence in mathematics does matter, as evidenced by significant relationships between confidence and achievement, but it was also concluded that these inter-relations were complex. Educators are encouraged to adopt student-focussed teaching styles which improve students self-confidence as a means to improving attainment.

The research for this doctoral study focused on children’s learning in mathematics and its relationship with independent pupil-pupil talk. In particular the interest was in how younger lower attaining children (aged 6-7) exchanged meaning as they talked together within a mathematical task. The data for the doctoral study had been gathered as part of the Talking Counts Project which I directed with colleagues at the University of Exeter. The project developed an intervention to encourage exploratory talk in mathematics with younger lower attaining children. Video material and transcripts of the mathematics lessons from nine classrooms that were part of the TC Project were used as the data set for the doctoral study. The focus of the analysis was on the independent pupil-pupil talk from one pre intervention session and one post intervention session from these nine classrooms. In using an existing data base, analysis was carried out in more depth and from a new perspective. A Vygotskyan sociocultural approach was maintained but analysis of the learning in the doctoral study was refocused in line with theories of situated meaning in discourse and with theories of the emergence of mathematical objects. Hence my examination of the children’s learning for the doctoral study went beyond the original research carried out in the TC Project. Within an interpretivist paradigm the methods of analysis related to the functional use of the children’s language. Interpretations were made of the children’s speech acts and their use of functional grammar. This enabled a study of both social and emotional aspects of shared intentionality as well as personal, social and cultural constructs of mathematical objects. The findings suggested that, where the talk was productive, the children were using deixis in sharing intentions and that this use could be related to the exchange of meaning and objectifying deixis.

This thesis systematically examined the link between developmental dyscalculia, a specific learning difficulty of mathematics, and mathematics anxiety, a negative emotional reaction to mathematics tasks. The link between these maths learning issues was examined by measuring their prevalence in large samples of English primary (N = 1004; N= 830) and secondary school (N = 927) students. Gender differences were also explored. Systematically varying diagnostic criteria for dyscalculia revealed that its prevalence ranged between 0.89-17.23 percent. When absolute performance thresholds were used, there was no gender difference in dyscalculia prevalence. The association of mathematics performance with other cognitive skills and mathematics anxiety was investigated longitudinally in subsamples of children with dyscalculia (n =10), typical mathematics performance (n=10) and high maths ability (n = 11). 80 percent of the children in the dyscalculia group still met the criteria for diagnosis at the final time point. Mathematics performance was positively associated with working memory performance and negatively associated with mathematics anxiety. Furthermore, children with dyscalculia had higher maths anxiety than the other two groups. The relationship between dyscalculia and high maths anxiety was estimated in a larger sample (N = 1757). Relatively few children with dyscalculia had high maths anxiety and the majority of students with high maths anxiety in fact had mathematics performance within or above the average range. Girls had higher maths anxiety than boys, and more girls had both dyscalculia and maths anxiety than boys. There was an expected negative correlation between maths anxiety and maths performance in the total sample, but this correlation was negligible in the children with dyscalculia. Collectively, these results suggest that cognitive and emotional mathematics problems are dissociable, and indicate that children with dyscalculia and maths anxiety likely require different types of intervention. Furthermore there appears to be no gender difference in maths performance or in the prevalence of dyscalculia. However, girls have higher maths anxiety than boys, and are more likely to be affected by maths anxiety alongside developmental dyscalculia. Maths anxiety may be a potential explanation for the underrepresentation of females in careers involving mathematics.

As a result of two years working with the pre-service primary teachers in a College in Fiji I became aware of the difficulty many of the students were having understanding the primary school mathematics they would be required to teach. During that time I had attempted to help them overcome the difficulties by using different teaching approaches and activities but was far from satisfied with my efforts. Hence I decided to make a concerted effort to help the students by planning, implementing and partially evaluating a mathematics education unit, known as the Teaching Program for the first semester of their course. This work formed the basis of my study. For the Teaching Program I chose a constructivist teaching approach with number sense as the underlying theme. To examine the aspects of the Program I used my observations and those of the students especially ones reported in their mathematics journals. To evaluate the effectiveness of the Teaching Program I collected and analysed quantitative data from traditional testing of the class of forty students as well as data from case studies of six of the pre-service teachers in the class. To determine what features of the Teaching Program were linked to positive changes my main source of data was the case studies, especially entries from their journal writings. The findings suggested that a significant development of the cognitive aspects of the students’ number sense did occur during the time of the Teaching Program but not as much as was hoped for. As a result of the analysis of the data I came to a greater realisation of the importance of the non-cognitive aspects of number sense and the necessity for a greater consideration of them in the development of a Program. I also realise now that a major development that did occur was in my understanding of the knowledge and learning of mathematics. My ideas of a teaching paradigm of social constructivism had not guided me sufficiently to incorporate activities and procedures to develop the non-cognitive aspects. I suggest that a paradigm which extends the theory of social constructivism to give greater consideration of these aspects of learning in general, and hence numeracy and number sense in particular, was needed. As a result of this study, my introduction to the theory of enactivism appears to be giving me some direction in this search at this stage.