LSP communication in a digital age: the outcomes of teaching and learning in tertiary education

This paper discusses the changes brought by the communication revolution in teaching and learning in the scope of LSP. Its aim is to provide an insight on how teaching which was bi-dimensional, turned into a multidimensional system, gathering other complementary resources that have transformed, in a incredibly short time, the ways we receive share and store information, for instance as professionals, and keep in touch with our peers. The increasing rise of electronic publications, the incredible boom of social and professional networks, search engines, blogs, list servs, forums, e-mail blasts, Facebook pages, YouTube contents, Tweets and Apps, have twisted the way information is conveyed. Classes ceased to be predictable and have been empowered by digital platforms, innumerous and different data repositories (TILDE, IATE, LINGUEE, and so many other terminological data banks) that have definitely transformed the academic world in general and tertiary education in particular. There is a bulk of information to be digested by students, who are no longer passive but instead responsible and active for their academic outcomes. The question is whether they possess the tools to select only what is accurate and important for a certain subject or assignment, due to that overflow? Due to the reduction of the number of course years in most degrees, after the implementation of Bologna and the shrinking of the curricula contents, have students the possibility of developing critical thinking? Both teaching and learning rely on digital resources to improve the speed of the spreading of knowledge. But have those changes been effective to promote really communication? Furthermore, with the increasing Apps that have already been developed and will continue to appear for learning foreign languages, for translation among others, will the students feel the need of learning them once they have those Apps. These are some the questions we would like to discuss in our paper.

Challenges in the creation and development of a mathematics MOOC

The fast development of distance learning tools such as Open Educational Resources (OER) and Massive Open Online Courses (MOOC or MOOCs) are indicators of a shift in the way in which digital teaching and learning are understood. MOOC are a new style of online classes that allow any person with web access, anywhere, usually free of charge, to participate through video lectures, computer graded tests and discussion forums. They have been capturing the attention of many higher education institutions around the world. This paper will give us an overview of the “Introduction to Differential Calculus” a MOOC Project, created by an engaged volunteer team of Mathematics lecturers from four schools of the Polytechnic Institute of Oporto (IPP). The MOOC theories and their popularity are presented and complemented by a discussion of some MOOC definitions and their inherent advantages and disadvantages. It will also explore what MOOC mean for Mathematics education. The Project development is revealed by focusing on used MOOC structure, as well as the quite a lot of types of course materials produced. It ends with a presentation of a short discussion about problems and challenges met throughout the development of the project. It is also our goal to contribute for a change in the way teaching and learning Mathematics is seen and practiced nowadays, trying to make education more accessible to as many people as possible and increase our institution (IPP) recognition.

Supplier's position in project marketing networks

The present study explores relationships between project marketers and their customers in project marketing context. The purpose of the study is to increase the understanding on supplier’s position in project marketing networks. Project marketing is representing a high volume in the international business, and the industrial network approach and the project marketing research cannot fully explain a supplier’s position in project marketing networks. Increased knowledge on project networks can also contribute to industrial marketing research more generally. Data for the present study was collected firstly during the pilot case study from project buyers in the paper and the steel industry in interviews. Secondly an entire project marketing case concerning a steel industry case was used as a data source. The data included interviews, correspondence between the supplier and the buyer, and project documents. The data of the pilot case was analysed with contents analysis, and in the case a deeper analysis based on the developed Stage Dimension framework was used. Supplier’s position in project marketing networks is a hierarchical and dynamic concept including a supplier’s position on the highest level. The dimensions of the position concept are the intermediate level, and the dimensions are based on the underlying components. Supplier’s position is composed from four organization related dimensions, and two individual actor related dimensions. The composition of the supplier’s position varies during the project marketing process, and consequently the relative importance of the dimensions is changing over the process. Supplier’s position in project marketing networks is shaped by incremental and radical changes. Radical changes are initiated by critical events. The study contributes to the research of industrial networks and project marketing. The theoretical contribution of the study is threefold: firstly it proposes a structure of the position concept in project marketing networks, secondly it proposes the Position Stage Dimension Component (PSDC) model for the development of supplier’s position during the project marketing process, and thirdly the study widens the critical event concept to cover the project marketing process both on the organizational and individual level. In addition to the theoretical contributions there are several managerial implications for planning and implementing marketing strategies in the project context.

A classroom-based investigation of reciprocal teaching at the grade seven level

This study assessed the effectiveness of a reciprocal teaching program as a method of teaching reading comprehension, using narrative text material in a t.ypical grade seven classroom. In order to determine the effectiveness of the reciprocal teaching program, this method was compared to two other reading instruction approaches that, unlike rcciprocal teaching, did not include social interaction components. Two intact grade scven classes, and a grade seven teacher, participated in this study. Students were appropriately assigned to three treatment groups by reading achievement level as determined from a norm-referenced test. Training proceeded for a five week intervention period during regularly scheduled English periods. Throughout the program curriculum-based tests were administered. These tests were designed to assess comprehension in two distinct ways; namely, character analysis components as they relate to narrative text, and strategy use components as they contribute to student understanding of narrative and expository text. Pre, post, and maintenance tests were administered to measure overall training effects. Moreover, during intervention, training probes were administered in the last period of each week to evaluate treatment group performance. AU curriculum-based tests were coded and comparisons of pre, post, maintenance tests and training probes were presented in graph form. Results showed that the reciprocal group achieved some improvement in reading comprehension scores in the strategy use component of the tests. No improvements were observed for the character analysis components of the curriculum-based tests and the norm-referenced tests. At pre and post intervention, interviews requiring students to respond to questions that addressed metacomprehension awareness of study strategies were administered. The intelviews were coded and comparisons were made between the two intelVicws. No significant improvements were observed regarding student awareness of ten identified study strategies . This study indicated that reciprocal teaching is a viable approach that can be utilized to help students acquire more effective comprehension strategies. However, the maximum utility of the technique when administered to a population of grade seven students performing at average to above average levels of reading achievement has yet to be determined. In order to explore this issue, the refinement of training materials and curriculum-based measurements need to be explored. As well, this study revealed that reciprocal teaching placed heavier demands on the classroom teacher when compared to other reading instruction methods. This may suggest that innovative and intensive teacher training techniques are required before it is feasible to use this method in the classroom.

Preparing to teach : learning from an exploration of teachers' experiences of teaching in classrooms of difference

This qualitative study explores practicing teachers' experiences of teaching in classrooms of diversity, that is, classrooms where students represent a variety of differences including race, culture, ethnicity, and class. More specifically, this study investigates the types of curricular and pedagogical practices teachers employ in their classrooms. This study attempts to make a contribution to the scholarship of critical pedagogy by drawing upon the works of critical pedagogues to make sense of participants' descriptions oftheir curricular and pedagogical practices. Four participants were involved in this study. Participants were elementary teachers in classrooms of difference in Ontario who contributed the primary sources of data by engaging in 2 individual interviews. Additional sources of data included a focus group meeting that 2 ofthe participants were able to attend, school board curriculum resource documents assisting teachers in teaching critically, as well as a research journal which the researcher kept throughout the study. The scholarship of critical pedagogy (Ellsworth, 1992; Giroux, 1993; McLaren, 1989) informs the analysis of participants' descriptions of their teaching experiences. Many of the participants did not engage in a practice of critical pedagogy. This study explores some of the challenges and possibilities of using critical pedagogy to create spaces in classrooms where teachers can build connections between the curriculum mandated by the government and the multiple identities and experiences that students bring into the classroom. This study concludes with a discussion on what teachers need to know to be able to begin creating equitable and educational experiences in classrooms of difference.

Miss-understand-ing: design education in Ontario secondary schools : an exploration of the issues with stakeholders and recommendations for change /

For most people design is a mystery. The products of design are integrated into our daily lives to the point that design has become invisible to us. However. what is subsumed in design practice is a creative problem-solving process that is applicable as a teaching strategy as well as a method for teaching the subject of design. The purpose of this study was to inquire into the current classroom practice of Ontario Visual Arts and Technological Education teachers, understand the goals of Ontario government curriculum developers, and explore the position held by the professional design community on secondary school design education. Data for this study were collected from: (a) a textual analysis of 4 Ministry curriculum documents; (b) interviews with JO stakeholders; (c) unobtrusive observations and informal conversations conducted at 7 secondary school open house events; and (d) observation of 2 sessions of an AQ course for Design and Technology. The research design modeled the design process and was divided into 2 parts: a discovery or problem-finding phase and a discussion or problem-solving phase. The results showed that design is misunderstood and misused; it has become lost between visual arts and technology where neither program holds responsibility for its delivery; students mistake working on computers for design practice; and while there is a desire within the professional community to have a voice in secondary school design education. there is no forum for participation. The technology-driven paradigm shift taking place in society today calls for a new framework for tellching and practicing dcsign. Further research is required; howcvcr. in the meantime. secondary school educators might benefit from professional development and classroom support from the professional dcsign community.

Detectives and Superheroes: A Pilot Study Teaching Flexible Thinking in Social Situations to a Child with High Functioning Autism

Complex social-cognitive deficits are common in individuals diagnosed with high functioning autism and Asperger syndrome. Research on effective and evidence-based social interventions is needed for this population. This study focused specifically on the challenges these individuals face with respect to flexible thinking and related flexible behaviour in social situations. Madrigal and Winner's (2008) Superflex curriculum - targets social flexibility, however at the time of this study no published research had been conducted to determine the effectiveness of this approach. This study was a pilot study, which sought to examine the impact of the Superflex curriculum within a 10-week training program in teaching one individual with high functioning autism how to think and behave flexibly in social situations. Multiple measurement tools were utilized, and analyses within and across the measures revealed inconsistencies, especially with respect to generalization. Although preliminary, this study provided valuable information for subsequent research.

Hyperosmotic Stress and the Impact on Metabolite Formation and Redox Balance in Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Saccharomyces bayanus strains

Wine produced using an appassimento-type process represents a new and exciting innovation for the Ontario wine industry. This process involves drying grapes that have already been picked from the vine, which increases the sugar content due to dehydration and induces a variety of changes both within and on the surface of the grapes. Increasing sugar contents in musts subject wine yeast to conditions of high osmolarity during alcoholic fermentations. Under these conditions, yeast growth can be inhibited, target alcohol levels may not be attained and metabolic by-products of the hyperosmotic stress response, including glycerol and acetic acid, may impact wine composition. The further metabolism of acetic acid to acetylCoA by yeast facilitates the synthesis of ethyl acetate, a volatile compound that can also impact wine quality if present in sufficiently high concentrations. The first objective of this project was to understand the effect of yeast strain and sugar concentration on fermentation kinetics and metabolite formation, notably acetic acid and ethyl acetate, during fermentation in appassimento-type must. Our working hypotheses were that (1) the natural isolate Saccharomyces bayanus would produce less acetic acid and ethyl acetate compared to Saccharomyces cerevisiae strain EC-1118 fermenting the high and low sugar juices; (2) the wine produced using the appassimento process would contain higher levels of acetic acid and lower levels of ethyl acetate compared to table wine; (3) and the strains would be similar in the kinetic behavior of their fermentation performances in the high sugar must. This study determined that the S. bayanus strain produced significantly less acetic acid and ethyl acetate in the appassimento wine and table wine fermentations. Differences in acetic acid and ethyl acetate production were also observed within strains fermenting the two sugar conditions. Acetic acid production was higher in table wine fermented by S. bayanus as no acetic acid was produced in appassimento-style wine, and 1.4-times higher in appassimento wine fermented by EC-1118 over that found in table wine. Ethyl acetate production was 27.6-times higher in table wine fermented by S. bayanus, and 5.2-times higher by EC-1118, compared to that in appassimento wine. Sugar utilization and ethanol production were comparable between strains as no significant differences were determined. The second objective of this project was to bring a method in-house for measuring the concentration of pyridine nucleotides, NAD+, NADP+, NADH and NADPH, in yeast cytosolic extract. Development of this method is of applicative interest for our lab group as it will enable the redox balance of the NAD+/ NADH and NADP+/ NADPH systems to be assessed during high sugar fermentations to determine their respective roles as metabolic triggers for acetic acid production. Two methods were evaluated in this study including a UV-endpoint method using a set of enzymatic assay protocols outlined in Bergmeyer (1974) and a colorimetric enzyme cycling method developed by Sigma-Aldrich® using commercial kits. The former was determined to be limited by its low sensitivity following application to yeast extract and subsequent coenzyme analyses, while the latter was shown to exhibit greater sensitivity. The results obtained from the kits indicated high linearity, accuracy and precision of the analytical method for measuring NADH and NADPH, and that it was sensitive enough to measure the low coenzyme concentrations present in yeast extract samples. NADtotal and NADPtotal concentrations were determined to be above the lower limit of quantification and within the range of the respective calibration curves, making this method suitable for our research purposes.

L'effet de l'orientation envers les buts sur les conflits et les résultats scolaires des étudiantes et étudiants de niveau collégial impliqués dans un projet pédagogique

L’apprentissage par projet est une méthode pédagogique importante dans le réseau des cégeps, particulièrement depuis la Réforme scolaire collégiale de 1993 (Piché & Lapostolle, 2009). Toutefois, la quantité d’études sur les conditions d’efficacité de cette méthode pédagogique, particulièrement les études longitudinales, est limitée dans le milieu collégial. La présente étude analyse le rôle de plusieurs variables issues de la recherche en psychologie organisationnelle. D’abord, on considère le rôle de deux variables de personnalité affectées par la complexité d’une tâche : l’orientation envers les buts (Dweck & Leggett, 1988) et le style de gestion des conflits (Rubin, Pruitt, & Kim, 1994). Deux variables processuelles sont aussi étudiées : les types de conflits (Jehn 1995, 1997) et la proactivité (Griffin, Neale, & Parker, 2007). À l’aide d’analyses de médiation (Preacher & Hayes, 2008), les résultats démontrent que les orientations envers les buts et les styles de gestion des conflits utiles aux tâches complexes le sont également dans un contexte de projet au collégial, favorisant la proactivité des étudiants. Pour les types de conflits, un examen de leur évolution dans le temps permet de conclure à un effet généralement négatif en raison de la forte association entre eux. Une explication possible est la présence de mésattribution (Simons & Peterson, 2000), c’est-à-dire que les conflits reliés à la tâche sont faussement interprétés comme des conflits interpersonnels.

Sustainability of Participatory Projects: Study of Productive Sector under Peoples’ Planning in Chempu Village Panchayat of Kottayam District

The study has wider policy implications as it identifies the possible variables which influence the sustainability of participatory productive sector projects. The method which is developed to study the sustainability of projects under People’s Planning in Chempu Panchayat could be used for studying the same in other panchayats also. Unlike the case of the standard features of sustainability identified, the independent variables vary according to the nature of the project. Hence, this needs to be modified accordingly while applying the method in a dissimilar domain. Selection of a single panchayat for the present study is relevant on the basis of a common package of inputs for decentralised planning which is forwarded by the State Planning Board respectively for the three-tier panchayat system in Kerala. The dynamic filed realities could be brought out in view of a comprehensive planning approach through an in depth study of specific cases.The assessment of the nature and pattern of productive sector projects in the selected Village Panchayat puts the projects under close scrutiny. The analysis has depended largely on secondary sources of information, especially from panchayat level plan documents, and also on the primary information obtained using direct observation and on-site inspection of project sites. An analysis of the nature and pattem of productive sector projects is important as it gives all necessary information regarding follow-up, monitoring/evaluation and even termination of a particular project. It has also revealed the tendencies of including infrastructure and service sector projects under ‘productive’ category, especially for maintaining the stipulated ratio (40:30:30) of grant-in-aid distribution. The study regarding the allocation and expenditure pattern of plan funds is vital in policy level as it reveals the under-noticed allocation and expenditure pattern of plan funds other than grant-in-aid. One major limitation of the study has been the limited availability of secondary data, especially regarding project-wise expenditure and monitoring/evaluation reports of various project committees.

A critical study of major construction projects in kerala vis-a-vis effectiveness in project implementation

Chapter 1 presents a brief note on the state at which the construction industry stands at present, bringing into focus the significance of the critical study. Relevance of the study, area of investigation and objectives of the study are outlined in this chapter. The 2nd chapter presents a review of the literature on the relevant areas. In the third chapter an analysis on time and cost overrun in construction highlighting the major factors responsible for it has been done. A couple of case studies to estimate loss to the nation on account of delay in construction have been presented in the chapter. The need for an appropriate estimate and a competent contractor has been emphasised for improving effectiveness in the project implementation. Certain useful equations and thoughts have been formulated on this area in this chapter that can be followed in State PWD and other Govt. organisations. Case studies on project implementation of major projects undertaken by Government sponsored/supported organizations in Kerala have been dealt with in Chapter 4. A detailed description of the project of Kerala Legislature Complex with a critical analysis has been given in this chapter. A detailed account of the investigations carried out on the construction of International Stadium, a sports project of Greater Cochin Development Authority is included here. The project details of Cochin International Airport at Nedumbassery, its promoters and contractors are also discussed in Chapter 4. Various aspects of implementation which led the above projects successful have been discussed in chapter 5. The data collected were analysed through discussion and perceptions to arrive at certain conclusions. The emergence of front-loaded contract and its impact on economics of the project execution are dealt with in this chapter. Analysis of delays in respect of the various project narrated in chapter 3 has been done here. The root causes of the project time and overrun and its remedial measures are also enlisted in this chapter. Study of cost and time overrun of any construction project IS a part of construction management. Under the present environment of heavy investment on construction activities in India, the consequences of mismanagement many a time lead to excessive expenditure which are not be avoidable. Cost consciousness, therefore has to be keener than ever before. Optimization in investment can be achieved by improved dynamism in construction management. The successful completion of coristruction projects within the specified programme, optimizing three major attributes of the process - quality, schedule and costs - has become the most valuable and challenging task for the engineer - managers to perform. So, the various aspects of construction management such as cost control, schedule control, quality assurance, management techniques etc. have also been discussed in this fifth chapter. Chapter 6 summarises the conclusions drawn from the above criticalr1 of rhajor construction projects in Kerala.

Das professionelle Handlungswissen von DaZ-Lehrenden in der Erwachsenenbildung am Beispiel Binnendifferenzierung : eine qualitative Studie

Das Forschungsfeld der vorliegenden Arbeit sind die Deutsch als Zweitsprache-Kurse, die im Zeitraum der Untersuchung (2002) noch vom Sprachverband Deutsch (vormals: für ausländische Arbeitnehmer) unterstützt wurden. Da sich mit diesem wichtigen und breiten Anwendungsgebiet der Fremdsprachendidaktik bisher nur wenige Studien beschäftigt haben, ist als Forschungsansatz eine explorativ-qualitative Herangehensweise gewählt worden. Die Kurse für erwachsene Einwanderer zeichnen sich durch eine große Heterogenität der Teilnehmenden aus, dementsprechend ist die zentrale Fragestellung der Studie, in der das professionelle Handlungswissen von Lehrenden erforscht wird, die Frage der Binnendifferenzierung. Ausgehend von bereits seit den siebziger Jahren des 20. Jahrhunderts vorliegenden allgemeindidaktischen Entwürfen zur Arbeit mit heterogenen Lerngruppen, in denen das Prinzip der Binnendifferenzierung entwickelt wird, werden im ersten Teil der Arbeit didaktische Möglichkeiten der Binnendifferenzierung im Deutsch als Zweitsprache-Unterricht entworfen. Ausgehend von diesem Vorverständnis ist dann die Befragung der Lehrenden durchgeführt worden, die im zweiten Teil der Arbeit dargestellt, ausgewertet und diskutiert wird. Dabei geht es nicht um eine Evaluation der Praxis anhand vorgefasster Kategorien, sondern im Gegenteil um eine explorative Erforschung des Problembereiches der Arbeit mit heterogenen Lerngruppen im Deutsch als Zweitsprache Unterricht. Anhand der am Material entwickelten Kategorien werden zentrale didaktische Gesichtspunkte herausgearbeitet, die charakteristisch für das Forschungsfeld Deutsch als Zweitsprache mit erwachsenen Einwanderern sind. Diese Kategorien sind nicht deckungsgleich mit denen, die durch die hermeneutisch orientierte Vorgehensweise im ersten Teil der Arbeit entwickelt werden konnten. Anhand dieser Diskrepanz wird das Theorie-Praxis-Verhältnis der didaktischen Forschung und Lehre aufgeschlüsselt und kritisch betrachtet. Ausblick der Arbeit ist der Verweis auf die Professionalisierungsdebatte und die Notwendigkeit einer praxisbezogenen Forschung, welche die Bedürfnisse von Lehrenden direkt einbezieht und im Sinne einer Aktionsforschung gleichzeitig zur Weiterbildung der Lehrenden beiträgt. Nur auf diesem Weg kann die Unterrichtspraxis unmittelbar weiter entwickelt werden. Aus der vorliegenden Studie ergeben sich viel versprechende Anknüpfungspunkte für kooperative Aktionsforschungsprojekte, die von den Lehrenden in den Interviews angeregt werden.

Die Privathochschulen in Ägypten und Deutschland im Vergleich

Die Privatisierung im Hochschulwesen ist eine neue internationale Tendenz, die in der Welt in den letzten 25 Jahren zu umfangreichen wissenschaftlichen Diskussionen zwischen den Experten dieses Gebietes geführt hat. Die private Hochschulbildung erstreckt sich über ein großes Feld der verschiedenen Studiengänge. Ihre Ziele und Aufgaben sowie ihre Bedeutung unterscheiden sich von Staat zu Staat. Ebenso ist die private Hochschulbildung unterschiedlich aufgebaut hinsichtlich ihrer Größe, Finanzierung usw. Die Errichtung einiger privater Hochschulen in Ägypten beeinflusste ebenfalls die wissenschaftliche Diskussion zwischen den Experten bis heute. Um die ägyptische Erfahrung in diesem Gebiet beurteilen zu können, wurde die deutsche Situation vergleichend betrachtet. Das Ziel der Dissertation ist die Beschreibung und Analyse des aktuellen Standes der Entwicklung des privaten Hochschulwesens in Ägypten und in Deutschland, um Ähnlichkeiten und Unterschiede herauszuarbeiten, Nachteile und Vorteile der Entwicklung in beiden Ländern zu bewerten sowie Vorschläge zur Verbesserung der Lage zu machen. Als Untersuchungsmethode wurde die Fallstudie benutzt, dabei wurden jeweils fünf repräsentative Hochschulen ausgewählt. Sie unterschieden sich in den Studienangeboten, der regionalen Lage, der Größe, der Hochschulart, der fachlichen Ausrichtung und dem Gründungsdatum. Das Thema wurde in zwei Teilen behandelt, in einem theoretischen und in einem praktischen Teil. Im theoretischen Teil werden die Geschichte des Hochschulwesens allgemein und seine Entwicklung, Ziele und Aufgaben sowie die gegenwärtige Situation behandelt. In diesem Kontext werden auch die Bedeutung der privaten Hochschulen, ihre Entstehung und Entwicklung, ihre Ziele und Aufgaben, ihre Finanzierung und ihre gesetzliche Lage untersucht; die ausgewählten privaten Hochschulen werden detailliert beschrieben. Der praktische Teil dieser Untersuchung erfolgte vorwiegend in Form von Befragungen an den ausgewählten privaten Hochschulen. Die wichtigsten behandelten Bereiche der Befragungen waren: - Beziehungen zwischen Staat und Hochschule, - Ziel und Aufgaben der Leistungsbewertung, - Finanzierung, - Auswahl der Studienbewerber, - Lehrkörper, - Lehrpläne und -programme. Ergebnisse: Die privaten Hochschulen in Ägypten konnten bis zum heutigen Tag ihre Ziele hinsichtlich der Lehre und der Forschung nicht erreichen. Aufgrund der häufigen Veränderungen bei den staatlichen Rahmenbedingungen wurde die angestrebte Flexibilität nicht erreicht. Zusätzlich leiden die neugegründeten privaten Hochschulen unter der mangelhaften Finanzierung, da sie sich vorwiegend aus Studiengebühren tragen. Deshalb leisten sie keinen Beitrag für die Gesamtfinanzierung des ägyptischen Hochschulsektors. Eine Ausnahme stellt die Französische Universität in Kairo dar. Die deutschen privaten Hochschulen haben ihre Ziele hinsichtlich der Lehre und der Forschung zu einem großen Anteil erreicht. Dies erfolgte vor allem durch eine größere Flexibilität, eine bessere finanzielle Ausstattung sowie zusätzliche unterschiedliche Quellen der Finanzierung. Der Beitrag einiger privater Hochschulen an der Gesamtfinanzierung des deutschen Hochschulwesens ist groß. Generell beruht die Qualität des privaten Hochschulwesens auf der Bildungsphilosophie sowie der allgemeinen Politik des Staates und darauf, wie weit den Anforderungen der Gesellschaft entsprochen wird und ob ein Beitrag zu Entwicklung des Hochschulwesens geleistet wird. Weiterhin ist deren Erfolg von einer ausreichenden Finanzierung abhängig.

Applications and modelling in mathematics teaching

The aim of this paper is a comprehensive presentation of some important basic and general aspects of the topic applications and modelling, with emphasis on the secondary school level. Owing to the review character of this paper, some overlap with the survey paper Blum and Niss (1989) for ICME-6 in Budapest is inevitable. The paper will consist of three parts. In part 1, I shall try to clarify some basic concepts and remind the reader of a few application and modelling examples suitable for teaching. In part 2, I shall formulate some general aims for mathematics instruction and, on that basis, summarise the most important arguments for and against applications and modelling in mathematics teaching. Finally, in part 3, I shall discuss some relevant instructional aspects resulting from the considerations in part 2.