This timely resource fills a gap in existing literature on mathematical modeling by presenting both theory- and evidence-based ideas for its teaching and learning. The book outlines four key professional competencies that must be developed in order to effectively and appropriately teach mathematical modeling, and in so doing it seeks to reduce the discrepancies between educational policy and educational research versus everyday teaching practice. Among the key competencies covered are: Theoretical competency for practical work. Task competency for instructional flexibility. Instructional competency for effective and quality lessons. Diagnostic competency for assessment and grading. Learning How to Teach Mathematical Modeling in School and Teacher Education is relevant to practicing and future mathematics teachers at all levels, as well as teacher educators, mathematics education researchers, and undergraduate and graduate mathematics students interested in research based methods for teaching mathematical modeling.

This book explores what it means to teach modeling. In part I, the authors discuss mathematical modeling broadly and allow you to explore the student practices and perspectives involved, how modeling can empower students, and classroom communities that support modeling. In part II, the authors launch you on your journey of becoming a teacher of modeling by illustrating features of modeling that are evident in the classrooms of teacher who engage their students in modeling and by sharing specific strategies for making modeling a part of your own classroom practices. In part III, they examine the complementary perspectives of mathematical and statistical models, the role of modeling in the secondary mathematics curriculum, and the role of technology in supporting modeling. Finally, they share wisdom from other teachers who have engaged in this journey and invite you to join in the modeling community.

Modeling Students’ Mathematical Modeling Competencies offers welcome clarity and focus to the international research and professional community in mathematics, science, and engineering education, as well as those involved in the sciences of teaching and learning these subjects.

This survey provides an overview of the German discussion on modelling and applications in schools. It considers the development from the beginning of the 20th century to the present, and discusses the term “mathematical model” as well as different representations of the modelling process as modelling cycles. Different trends in the historical and current debate on applications and modelling can be differentiated as perspectives of modelling. Modelling is now one of the six general mathematical competencies defined in the educational standards for mathematics introduced in Germany in 2003, and there have been several initiatives to implement modelling in schools, as well as a whole range of empirical research projects focusing on teachers or students in modelling processes. As a special kind for implementing modelling into school, modelling weeks and days carried out by various German universities have been established.

The quality of primary and secondary school mathematics teaching is generally agreed to depend crucially on the subject-related knowledge of the teacher. However, there is increasing recognition that effective teaching calls for distinctive forms of subject-related knowledge and thinking. Thus, established ways of conceptualizing, developing and assessing mathematical knowledge for teaching may be less than adequate. These are important issues for policy and practice because of longstanding difficulties in recruiting teachers who are confident and conventionally well-qualified in mathematics, and because of rising concern that teaching of the subject has not adapted sufficiently. The issues to be examined in Mathematical Knowledge in Teaching are of considerable significance in addressing global aspirations to raise standards of teaching and learning in mathematics by developing more effective approaches to characterizing, assessing and developing mathematical knowledge for teaching.

Students of mathematics learn best when taught by a teacher with a deep and conceptual understanding of the fundamentals of mathematics. In Mathematical Models for Teaching, Ann Kajander and Tom Boland argue that teachers must be equipped with a knowledge of mathematics for teaching, which is grounded in modelling, reasoning, and problem-based learning. A comprehensive exploration of models and concepts, this book promotes an understanding of the material that goes beyond memorization and recitation, which begins with effective teaching. This vital resource is divided into 15 chapters, each of which addresses a specific mathematical concept. Focusing on areas that have been identified as problematic for teachers and students, Mathematical Models for Teaching equips teachers with a different type of mathematical understanding-one that supports and encourages student development. Features: grounded in the most current research about teachers' learning contains cross-chapter connections that identify common ideas includes chapter concluding discussion questions that encourage critical thinking incorporates figures and diagrams that simplify and solidify important mathematical concepts offers further reading suggestions for instructors seeking additional information

This open access book presents a structural model and an associated test instrument designed to provide a detailed analysis of professional competences for teaching mathematical modelling. The conceptualisation is based on the COACTIV model, which describes aspects, areas and facets of professional competences of teachers. The manual provides an overview of the essential teaching skills in application-related contexts and offers the tools needed to capture these aspects. It discusses the objectives and application areas of the instrument, as well as the development of the test. In addition, it describes the implementation and evaluates the quality and results of the structural equation analysis of the model. Teaching mathematical modelling is a cognitively challenging activity for (prospective) teachers. Thus, teacher education requires a detailed analysis of professional competence for teaching mathematical modelling. Measuring this competence requires theoretical models that accurately describe requirements placed upon teachers, as well as appropriate evaluation tools that adequately capture skills and abilities in this field. This book presents an instrument that measures the professional competences in a sample of 349 prospective teachers.