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.

This book contains suggestions for and reflections on the teaching, learning and assessing of mathematical modelling and applications in a rapidly changing world, including teaching and learning environments. It addresses all levels of education from universities and technical colleges to secondary and primary schools. Sponsored by the International Community of Teachers of Mathematical Modelling and Applications (ICTMA), it reflects recent ideas and methods contributed by specialists from 30 countries in Africa, the Americas, Asia, Australia and Europe. Inspired by contributions to the Fourteenth Conference on the Teaching of Mathematical Modelling and Applications (ICTMA14) in Hamburg, 2009, the book describes the latest trends in the teaching and learning of mathematical modelling at school and university including teacher education. The broad and versatile range of topics will stress the international state-of-the-art on the following issues: Theoretical reflections on the teaching and learning of modelling Modelling competencies Cognitive perspectives on modelling Modelling examples for all educational levels Practice of modelling in school and at university level Practices in Engineering and Applications

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 volume documents on-going research and theorising in the sub-field of mathematics education devoted to the teaching and learning of mathematical modelling and applications. Mathematical modelling provides a way of conceiving and resolving problems in people’s everyday lives as well as sophisticated new problems for society at large. Mathematical modelling and real world applications are considered as having potential for cultivating sense making in classroom settings. This book focuses on the educational perspective, researching the complexities encountered in effective teaching and learning of real world modelling and applications for sense making is only beginning. All authors of this volume are members of the International Community of Teachers of Mathematical Modelling (ICTMA), the peak research body into researching the teaching and learning of mathematical modelling at all levels of education from the early years to tertiary education as well as in the workplace.

In this volume cultural, social and cognitive influences on the research and teaching of mathematical modelling are explored from a variety of theoretical and practical perspectives. The authors of the current volume are all members of the International Community of Teachers of Mathematical Modelling and Applications, the peak research body in this field. A distinctive feature of this volume is the high number of authors from South American countries. These authors bring quite a different perspective to modelling than has been showcased in previous books in this series, in particular from a cultural point of view. As well as recent international research, there is a strong emphasis on pedagogical issues including those associated with technology and assessment, in the teaching and learning of modelling. Applications at various levels of education are exemplified. The contributions reflect common issues shared globally and represent emergent or on-going challenges.

This book provides readers with an overview of recent international research and developments in the teaching and learning of modelling and applications from a variety of theoretical and practical perspectives. There is a strong focus on pedagogical issues for teaching and learning of modelling as well as research into teaching and practice. The teaching of applications of mathematics and mathematical modelling from the early years through primary and secondary school and at tertiary level is rising in prominence in many parts of the world commensurate with an ever-increasing usage of mathematics in business, the environment, industry and everyday life. The authors are all members of the International Community of Teachers of Mathematical Modelling and Applications and important researchers in mathematics education and mathematics. The book will be of interest to teachers, practitioners and researchers in universities, polytechnics, teacher education, curriculum and policy.​

Mathematical Modelling for Teachers: Resources, Pedagogy and Practice provides everything that teachers and mathematics educators need to design and implement mathematical modelling activities in their classroom. Authored by an expert in Singapore, the global leader in mathematics education, it is written with an international readership in mind. This book focuses on practical classroom ideas in mathematical modelling suitable to be used by mathematics teachers at the secondary level. As they are interacting with students all the time, teachers generally have good ideas for possible mathematical modelling tasks. However, many have difficulty translating those ideas into concrete modelling activities suitable for a mathematics classroom. In this book, a framework is introduced to assist teachers in designing, planning and implementing mathematical modelling activities, and its use is illustrated through the many examples included. Readers will have access to modelling activities suitable for students from lower secondary levels (Years 7 and 8) onwards, along with the underlying framework, guiding notes for teachers and suggested approaches to solve the problems. The activities are grouped according to the types of models constructed: empirical, deterministic and simulation models. Finally, the book gives the reader suggestions of different ways to assess mathematical modelling competencies in students.