Skip to main content

Documenting the Development of Modelling Competencies of Grade 7 Mathematics Students

  • Conference paper
  • First Online:
Trends in Teaching and Learning of Mathematical Modelling

Abstract

Modelling is a mathematical competence and a means of learning significant mathematics. Preliminary findings on the nature of competence and modelling competencies, as well as the development of mathematical modelling competencies of Grade 7 students are presented in this chapter. Twelve students solved three model-eliciting tasks in groups over a period of 12 weeks. The development of competencies is considered across the group as a whole. Analysis of the data shows that modelling competencies are activated and do develop when students take part in well-orchestrated modelling activities.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 259.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 329.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 329.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

References

  • Biccard, P., & Wessels, D.C.J., (2009). Documenting the development of modelling competencies of Grade 7 mathematics students. Paper presented at the 14th International conference on the teaching of mathematical modelling and applications. 27–31 July 2009. Hamburg: University of Hamburg.

    Google Scholar 

  • Blomhøj, M., & Jensen, T. H. (2007). What’s all the fuss about competencies? In W. Blum, P. L. Galbraith, H. W. Henn, & M. Niss (Eds.), Modelling and applications in mathematics education. 14th ICMI study. (pp. 45–57). New York: Springer.

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Blomhøj, M. (nd). Different perspectives on mathematical modelling in mathematics education research – Categorising the TSG 21 papers. Retrieved from: www.icme11.org/document/get/812 Accessed: 2009-05-12.

  • Borromeo Ferri, R. (2006). Theoretical and empirical differentiations of phases in the modelling process. Zentralblatt fur Didaktik der Mathematik (ZDM): The International Journal on Mathematics Education, 38(2), 86–95.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • English, L. D., & Lesh, R. (2003). Ends-in-view-problems. In R. Lesh & H. M. Doerr (Eds.), Beyond constructivism: Models and modeling perspectives on mathematics problem solving, learning and teaching (pp. 297–316). Mahwah: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates Publishers.

    Google Scholar 

  • Galbraith, P. (2007). Beyond the low hanging fruit. In W. Blum, P. L. Galbraith, H. W. Henn, & M. Niss (Eds.), Modelling and applications in mathematics education. 14th ICMI study (pp. 79–88). New York: Springer.

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Goldin, G. A. (1987). Cognitive representational systems for mathematical problem solving. In C. Janvier (Ed.), Problems of representation in the teaching and learning of mathematics (pp. 125–145). Hillside: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates Publishers.

    Google Scholar 

  • Henning, H., & Keune, M. (2007). Levels of modelling competences. In W. Blum, P. L. Galbraith, H. W. Henn, & M. Niss (Eds.), Modelling and applications in mathematics education. 14th ICMI study (pp. 225–232). New York: Springer.

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Jensen, T. H. (2007). Assessing mathematical modelling competency. In C. Haines, P. Galbraith, W. Blum, & S. Khan (Eds.), Mathematical modelling (ICTMA 12) education, engineering and economics (pp. 141–148). Chichester: Horwood.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kaiser, G., & Sriraman, B. (2006). A global survey on international perspectives on modelling in mathematics education. Zentralblatt fur Didaktik der Mathematik (ZDM): International Journal on Mathematics Education, 38(3), 302–310.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kuhn, D., & Udell, W. (2003). The development of argument skills. Child Development, 74(5), 1245–1260.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lesh, R., & Doerr, H. M. (2003). Foundations of a models and modelling perspective on mathematics teaching, learning, and problem solving. In R. Lesh, & H. M. Doerr (Eds.), Beyond constructivism: Models and modeling perspectives on mathematics problem solving, learning and teaching. (pp. 3–33). Mahwah: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates Publishers.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lesh, R., Hoover, M., Hole, B., Kelly, A., & Post, T. (2000). Principles for developing thought-revealing activities for students and teachers. In A. Kelly & R. Lesh (Eds.), Research design in mathematics and science education (pp. 591–646). Mahwah: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates.

    Google Scholar 

  • Maaß, K. (2006). What are modelling competencies? Zentralblatt fur Didaktik der Mathematik (ZDM): The International Journal on Mathematics Education, 38(2), 113–142.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mousoulides, N., Sriraman, B., & Christou, C. (2007). From problem solving to modelling: the emergence of models and modelling perspectives. Nordic Studies in Mathematics Education, 12(1), 23–47.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Treilibs, V., Burkhardt, H., & Low, B. (1980). Formulation processes in mathematical modelling. Nottingham: University of Nottingham Shell Centre for Mathematical Education.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgement

The financial assistance of the National Research Foundation (NRF) towards this research is hereby acknowledged. Opinions expressed and conclusions arrived at are those of the authors and are not necessarily to be attributed to the NRF.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Piera Biccard .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2011 Springer Science+Business Media B.V.

About this paper

Cite this paper

Biccard, P., Wessels, D.C.J. (2011). Documenting the Development of Modelling Competencies of Grade 7 Mathematics Students. In: Kaiser, G., Blum, W., Borromeo Ferri, R., Stillman, G. (eds) Trends in Teaching and Learning of Mathematical Modelling. International Perspectives on the Teaching and Learning of Mathematical Modelling, vol 1. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-007-0910-2_37

Download citation

Publish with us

Policies and ethics