Modelling in Tertiary Education – Overview

Abstract

Modelling in tertiary education has had a strong tradition within ICTMA conferences and their Proceedings from the beginning. Many ideas developed there have been adapted for teaching at both undergraduate and school levels or have otherwise influenced ways in which the teaching and learning of modelling has been carried out. Examples include group project work (Slater 1986), innovative modelling courses (e.g., Jing et al. 2003), modelling competitions (e.g., Shouting et al. 2003), and the effect of application-based mathematical instruction on achievement and understanding (e.g., Aroshas et al. 2007). Discussions on modelling competencies and their measurement (e.g., Izard et al. 2003) have influenced associated scientific research significantly. The six chapters in this section, representing contributions from seven national contexts continue this tradition, some building upon previous work, while others introduce new emphases. The major common theme among the chapters is a direct focus on modelling issues in undergraduate education, although some make reference to other levels as well.