Teachers’ beliefs about improving transfer of algebraic skills from mathematics into physics in senior pre-university education

ABSTRACT

Students in senior pre-university education encounter difficulties in the application of mathematics into physics. This paper presents the outcome of an explorative qualitative study of teachers’ beliefs about improving the transfer of algebraic skills from mathematics into physics. We interviewed 10 mathematics and 10 physics teachers using a semi-structured questionnaire that was based on an algebraic transfer problem. Almost all teachers acknowledged this transfer problem and considered it to be important. We found a continuum of teachers’ beliefs about aspects influencing transfer, including beliefs on improving this transfer. Together with identified improvement aspects about coherent mathematics education, these may help reduce physics teachers’ frustrations who spend extra time on re-teaching mathematics. Teachers think that transfer does not happen, because students see both subjects as separate disciplines. Contrary to most physics teachers, most mathematics teachers do not feel the need to collaborate with physics teachers. We found two extreme, opposite beliefs about the transfer of algebraic skills into physics. An intermediate group believes that only an integrated approach can solve the transfer problem. Some of the teachers’ beliefs could be organised into a beliefs system. Further research could investigate to which extent such beliefs systems exist and which beliefs these contain.     

关于几何体光学中横向放大率的讨论

本文通过对光学元件及系统成像的横向放大率公式的讨论,阐述了几何光学中横向放大率的一些问题,并指出注意如何运用横向放大率公式以及各元件的公式之间的联系与区别。     

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An investigation of mathematics anxiety among sixth through eighth grade students in Turkey

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Negotiating differences: cosmopolitan experiences of international doctoral students

Drawing on the literature on international student experiences and identities, this study discusses theories of identity from a social constructionist perspective. ‘Identification’ is the preferred term to describe a dynamic process through which students negotiate the meaning of their identities in different societies and communities. Based on interviews with 35 international doctoral students from two graduate schools in Germany, the article illustrates the significance of international mobility for education when external ‘differences’ are appreciated and contribute to cosmopolitan imaginations and when internal differences are created in relation to ‘Others’ in the host society. The article contributes to the literature on international student mobility by providing a fine-grained analysis of student identification, showing how the discourse of difference is used as a double strategy.     

关于丢番图方程sum from (k=0) to (n-1)[1+(40s21)K]~r=[1+(40s+21)n]~r

本文证明了:当r,n为正整数,s为非整数,丢番图方程sum from k=0 to n-1([1+(40s+21)k]~r)=[1+(40s+21)n]~r无整数解     

Algorithmic thinking development through physical computing activities with Arduino in STEM education

Education and Information Technologies - The need to benefit from information technologies in the twenty-first century digital age is increasing in all economies to overcome problems and...