MURAL - Maynooth University Research Archive Library



    Introducing the history of mathematics to third level students with weak mathematical backgrounds: a case study


    Mac an Bhaird, Ciaran (2009) Introducing the history of mathematics to third level students with weak mathematical backgrounds: a case study. In: CETL-MSOR Conference 2008. The Maths, Stats & OR Network, pp. 63-68. ISBN 978-0-9555914-5-7

    [img]
    Preview
    Download (94kB) | Preview


    Share your research

    Twitter Facebook LinkedIn GooglePlus Email more...



    Add this article to your Mendeley library


    Abstract

    Many students who traditionally struggle with basic aspects of Mathematics have little or no concept of Mathematics as a living and growing subject area. They appear not to appreciate the background of the day-to- day Mathematics that they study, and which some of them may one day teach. These students generally have no exposure to this material and are unlikely to investigate the History of Mathematics independently. In this paper we will discuss the incidents that lead us to consider how to introduce students with weak mathematical backgrounds to the History of Mathematics. We will briefly mention the reasons why there are such significant numbers of students with these issues. We will also provide some detail on the first steps taken by the Mathematics Support Centre in the National University of Ireland Maynooth to try to introduce the background and context of Mathematics to these students. Based on the feedback we have received to date, we will discuss if these initiatives have had a positive impact in terms of students’ attitudes and results.

    Item Type: Book Section
    Additional Information: Proceedings of the CETL-MSOR Conference 2008, Lancaster University, 8th – 9th September. Edited by David Green
    Keywords: history of mathematics; third level; students; Mathematics Support Centre;
    Academic Unit: Faculty of Science and Engineering > Mathematics and Statistics
    Item ID: 5453
    Depositing User: Ciaran Mac an Bhaird
    Date Deposited: 07 Oct 2014 14:10
    Publisher: The Maths, Stats & OR Network
    Refereed: Yes
    URI:
    Use Licence: This item is available under a Creative Commons Attribution Non Commercial Share Alike Licence (CC BY-NC-SA). Details of this licence are available here

    Repository Staff Only(login required)

    View Item Item control page

    Downloads

    Downloads per month over past year

    Origin of downloads