Mathematics course with 60 Java-based interactive mathematic simulations by the author Comprehensive and systematically organized collection of 2,000 Java-based physics simulations All simulations are runnable, and can be accessed both on- and offline Visualization of mathematic relationships Facilitates an experiment-based understanding of problems, including suggestions for your own mathematical experiments Calculation procedures can be adjusted in a variety of ways Introduction to simulation techniques with the EJS (Easy Java Simulation) tool Visual interface for simple and transparent modeling and programming Building block library for programming one's own simulations Quick access to simulations from links embedded in the digital text Mathematics is the language of physics and technology. Yet in the age of computers, mathematic skill is not based on mastery of arithmetic. Rather, it depends on understanding relationships in time and space, and expressing them with precise and clear formulas. In this regard, one cannot rely on the rote memorization of rules and formulas - insight and intuitive understanding are crucial. But how can this understanding be achieved in higher mathematics, which depends on abstract concepts such as complex numbers, real and complex infinite series, infinitesimal calculus, 2, 3, and 4 dimensional functions, conformal maps, vectors, and linear and nonlinear ordinary and partial differential equations? The author takes a highly practical approach to facilitating the insight essential for true learning in mathematics. Students can work directly with the simulation programs, can visualize relationships, and creatively interact with the calculation procedures. Proceeding in textbook fashion, the work makes use of a broad palette of multimedia tools, and features numerous interactive calculation programs for mathematical experimentation. Students merely have to select one of the many predefined examples and set the relevant parameters - and in a flash the results are graphically displayed in 2 or 3 dimensions. In addition, the specific functions used can be changed or even newly formulated according to user preferences. For example, a procedure developed for a fourth degree power function for the numerical calculation of zero points can be adapted for use with another function. Each simulation is accompanied by a detailed description, instructions for use, and numerous suggestions for experimentation. The mathematical simulations are based on the Easy Java Simulation (EJS) programming tool. All of the files developed with EJS are completely open and transparent. The user can even draw on the examples as building blocks for the development his or her own calculation procedures. The appendix contains a short introduction to EJS. The work is enriched by a comprehensive collection of cosmological simulations as well as models from the Open Source Physics project, organized by subject area. Intended as a systematic collection of methods and materials for upper-secondary school teachers and as a course for students of physics and mathematics, the work facilitates hands-on and experiment-driven learning in higher mathematics. The print version contains the electronic text and simulations for offline use. For questions concerning download or online access to the simulations, please contact [email protected].

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 the option of building on symbolizing, modeling and tool use as personally meaningful activities of students. It discusses the dimension of setting: varying from the study of informal, spontaneous activity of students, to an explicit focus on instructional design, and goals and effects of instruction; and the dimension of the theoretical framework of the researcher: varying from constructivism, to activity theory, cognitive psychology and instructional-design theory.

The book aims at showing the state-of-the-art in the field of modeling and applications in mathematics education. This is the first volume to do this. The book deals with the question of how key competencies of applications and modeling at the heart of mathematical literacy may be developed; with the roles that applications and modeling may play in mathematics teaching, making mathematics more relevant for students.

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.

"Nancy's in-depth look at mathematical modeling offers middle school teachers the kind of practical help they need for incorporating modeling into their classrooms." -Cathy Seeley, Past President of NCTM, author of Faster Isn't Smarter and Smarter Than We Think "This is the book that math teachers and parents have been waiting for. Nancy provides a comprehensive step-by-step guide to modeling in mathematics at the middle school level." -David E. Drew, author of STEM the Tide: Reforming Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math Education in America We all use math to analyze everyday situations we encounter. Whether we realize it or not, we're modeling with mathematics: taking a complex situation and figuring out what we need to make sense of it. In Modeling with Mathematics, Nancy Butler Wolf shows that math is most powerful when it means something to students. She provides clear, friendly guidance for teachers to use authentic modeling projects in their classrooms and help their students develop key problem-solving skills, including: collecting data and formulating a mathematical model interpreting results and comparing them to reality learning to communicate their solutions in meaningful ways. This kind of teaching can be challenging because it is open-ended: it asks students to make decisions about their approach to a scenario, the information they will need, and the tools they will use. But Nancy proves there is ample middle ground between doing all of the work for your students and leaving them to flail in the dark. Through detailed examples and hands-on activities, Nancy shows how to guide your students to become active participants in mathematical explorations who are able to answer the question, "What did I just figure out?" Her approach values all students as important contributors and shows how instruction focused on mathematical modeling engages every learner regardless of their prior history of success or failure in math.

Mathematical modeling plays an increasingly important role both in real-life applications and within mathematics education itself. This 2016 volume of Annual Perspectives in Mathematics Education (APME) focuses on this key topic from a wide variety of perspectives and distinguishes it from modeling mathematics.