Search results for "mathematics for engineers"
showing 8 items of 8 documents
Mathematical modelling and activation – a study on a large class, a project-based task and students' flow
2018
International audience; We studied how engineering students in a large class (n=346) can be activated by a project-based task, in which they have to model mathematically the motion of an object. The students had to throw an object, use (1) their smart phones for filming, and (2) tracker software for capturing the motion. Through a poster, they had to report their video analysis. We framed activation through the concept of flow, which is a state of being fully absorbed by an activity. We administered a web-based questionnaire (response rate 69%). The results show that such a project-based task is feasible with >300 students and activated them: three out of five experienced flow. Also, we val…
Predictors of performance in engineering mathematics
2018
International audience; Mathematics in university courses was identified as a main obstacle for engineering students in the beginning of their study. Since difficulties with mathematics could lead to a dropout, our research aims to analyse students' profiles referring to individual characteristics that allow identifying possible risks for students' achievement or success in the first year of study. As a first step to identify possibly risky profiles, we started to find possible predictors of students' performance. For this, we give a short overview of the research state and our derived research interest. We discuss theoretical constructs that are possibly crucial characteristics of students…
“Making connections” in the mathematics courses for engineers: the example of online resources for trigonometry
2018
International audience; This paper concerns the teaching of mathematics for future engineers, focusing on the theme of trigonometry. We claim that the use of trigonometry in engineering courses requires different kinds of connections: connecting different domains, different concepts, frames and registers. We use here the concept of connectivity, developed in the frame of e-textbooks analysis, to analyse online courses for future engineers in France. We evidence that these courses propose some connections; but their connectivity is not developed enough to meet the requirements of engineering courses.
The use of integrals in Mechanics of Materials textbooks for engineering students: the case of the first moment of an area
2018
International audience; Research has reported on the difficulties engineering students face in relating the content of their mathematics courses to what is taught in their professional courses. One way to address these difficulties is by better understanding how mathematical notions are used in professional engineering courses. This paper analyses how the notion of first moment of an area – which is defined as an integral – is used in civil engineering courses. Basing our analysis on elements from the anthropological theory of the didactic, we are currently analysing a classic Mechanics of Materials book. Our findings indicate that although first moments are introduced as an integral, the t…
Analysing tasks for the Flipped Classroom from the perspective of Realistic Mathematical Education
2018
International audience; The advent of Flipped Classroom as a framework for organizing the teaching and learning of mathematics has the potential to revitalize the attention to tasks as a vehicle for meaningful learning in tertiary education. Flipped Classroom is based on the idea of student active learning under close guidance of the university teacher. Due to the possibility to engage the students in meaningful discovery of how mathematics can relate to real-life situations during in-class sessions, the tasks are seen to have a central role in a successful implementation of Flipped Classrooms. This paper explores the realistic mathematics education (RME) as a theoretical framework for task…
Using schematic representation of resource systems to examine how first year engineering students use resources in their studies of mathematics
2018
International audience; Very little research has been done on how students use resources when studying mathematics. My project aim to examine this both quantitatively and qualitatively. The qualitative data collection includes hierarchical focus interviews and schematic representation of resource system, with the intent to impose as little terminology as possible on the students.
First-year university students making sense of symbols in integration
2020
International audience; This paper focuses on first year university engineering students and their sensemaking of integration and its symbolism. Through a semiotic approach, attention is given to two students and their attempt to verbally express their reflections on integration and the related meaning of symbols. Findings suggest that students tend to interpret the symbols mainly as operations, in terms of calculations to be carried out. They express uncertainty concerning what the symbols stand for, and the mathematical objects they represent. For example, the symbols ∫ and are respectively conceived of as “finding the integral with respect to x” and students are unclear on how Riemann su…
Task design for Engineering Mathematics: process, principles and products
2018
International audience; We present and analyse principles and process employed at the Danish Technical University to use authentic problems from engineering (APE) in a first year mathematics course, along with some of the products (actual student assignments).