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The Impact of Real-World Mathematical Modelling Problems on Students’ Beliefs About the Nature of Mathematics

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Advancing and Consolidating Mathematical Modelling

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Abstract

Students’ beliefs on the nature of mathematics greatly influence their interests and attitudes towards the subject. Misconceptions regarding mathematics, such as the problems always having a unique and exact answer, can become obstacles for student learning. Research has found that mathematical modelling experiences could help students see the relevance of mathematics in the real world and their lives, but more attention is needed as to whether they affect other beliefs. This study focuses on exploring high school students’ views about mathematics when they work autonomously on solving real-world mathematical modelling problems during the selection process of the teams that represented Chile at the International Mathematical Modelling Challenge. The findings suggest that exposure to these modelling tasks has the potential to modify participants’ beliefs, for instance, with regards to the existence of many solutions and correct procedures for mathematical problem-solving.

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Notes

  1. 1.

    Full versions of each problem statement (in Spanish) can be found in https://www.immc.cl/recursos/problemas-immc/. IMMC problem statements (in English) can be downloaded from https://www.immchallenge.org/Pages/Sample.html.

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Acknowledgements

This work was supported by Centro de Modelamiento Matemático (CMM), ACE210010 and FB210005, BASAL funds for centres of excellence from ANID-Chile.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Center for Mathematical Modeling, Universidad de Chile, Beauchef 851, Torre Norte, Of. 624, Santiago, Chile

    Flavio Guiñez

  2. Center for Mathematical Modeling, Universidad de Chile, Beauchef 851, Torre Norte, Of. 705, Santiago, Chile

    Darío González

Authors
  1. Flavio Guiñez
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  2. Darío González
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Correspondence to Flavio Guiñez .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Institute for Mathematics Education and Computer Science Education, University of Münster, Münster, Germany

    Gilbert Greefrath

  2. University of Algarve and UIDEF, Institute of Education, University of Lisbon, Faro, Portugal

    Susana Carreira

  3. Australian Catholic University, Ballarat, VIC, Australia

    Gloria Ann Stillman

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Guiñez, F., González, D. (2023). The Impact of Real-World Mathematical Modelling Problems on Students’ Beliefs About the Nature of Mathematics. In: Greefrath, G., Carreira, S., Stillman, G.A. (eds) Advancing and Consolidating Mathematical Modelling. International Perspectives on the Teaching and Learning of Mathematical Modelling. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-27115-1_6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-27115-1_6

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-031-27114-4

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-031-27115-1

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