Naslov
The transition of the concept of a polynomial through undergraduate mathematics courses

Autori
Pleština, Jelena ; Milin Šipuš Željka

Vrsta, podvrsta i kategorija rada
Sažeci sa skupova, sažetak, znanstveni

Izvornik
PROGRAM & BOOK OF ABSTRACTS / - , 2021, 57-58

Skup
The 8th International Scientific Colloquium Mathematics and Children.

Mjesto i datum
Osijek, Hrvatska, 28.05.2021. - 29.05.2021

Vrsta sudjelovanja
Predavanje

Vrsta recenzije
Recenziran

Ključne riječi
University mathematics education, polynomial, APOS Theory, didactic contract, epistemological and didactic obstacles

Sažetak
Although polynomials occupy a prominent place and a significant part of the Croatian high school mathematics curriculum, many first-year undergraduate students of mathematics and mathematics education have to accommodate their knowledge when encountering definitions of the polynomial concept. This paper focuses on the comparison and mutual influence of various ways of introducing a polynomial and the corresponding notations used through undergraduate mathematics courses. More precisely, it aims to investigate the cognitive transition of the concept of a polynomial using Action-Process-ObjectSchema (APOS) Theory, as well as didactic contracts which deal with or include this concept. Through an analysis of targeted teaching materials and textbooks, we observed obstacles in the polynomial concept acquisition. The empirical results of questionnaires and interviews conducted among undergraduate students, teaching assistants, and some professors at the Department of Mathematics, University of Split, were analyzed and discussed. The data indicate a strong connection between the coherence of (generic) student's scheme of the polynomial and relevant didactic contracts.

Izvorni jezik
Engleski

Znanstvena područja
Matematika

POVEZANOST RADA