Newswise — A new study claims that the teaching of mathematics could benefit from collaboration between mathematicians and researchers in mathematics education. The University of Birmingham, England has been working with University of East Anglia in Norwich and the Learning and Teaching Support Network in a study of teaching and learning mathematics at undergraduate level.
The fifteen month study engaged mathematicians as educational co-researchers.Twenty mathematicians from across the UK of varying rank and teaching experience were surveyed. Student's difficulties within a number of mathematical topics were discussed by examining examples of students' written work and to consider samples of findings from educational studies in mathematics. The discussions typically evolved into lively exchanges regarding the ways in which the lecturers support their students in overcoming these difficulties and the ways in which educational research can help them in enhancing this support.
The mathematical community agreed that improved communication within the discipline would benefit learners, many of whom need mathematics as a 'service' course as an element of their studies but do not choose a straight mathematics degree. The learning needs of this student population varies more than it used to, and this study attempts to address a prospect of the subjects' decline into a marginal occupation.
Dr Chris Sangwin, Research Fellow at the University of Birmingham's School of Mathematics says: "Our research shows that mathematics professionals in the research and education fields can work together to progress the discipline towards the future. Our workshops gave time and space to ascertain what mathematics teaching is trying to achieve. Participants agreed that educational theory can be developed by tapping in to the deep experience of practicing mathematicians. By building a common language and busting jargon, research methods and findings can provide a new and credible angle to teaching mathematics in universities".
Dr Sangwin worked with project director Dr Elena Nardi, Senior Lecturer in Mathematics Education and Dr Paola Iannone, Research Associate, both at UEA.
Notes to Editor:The University of Birmingham's School of Mathematics and Statistics has seen around a 10% rise in home applications this year, for courses starting in October, which continues the trend seen for 2003 entry.
The University of Birmingham's School of Mathematics and Statistics is internationally renowned for its work, achieving a maximum score of 24 in the QAA teaching quality audit and scoring highly in the recent Research Assessment Exercise: Applied Maths (5), Pure Maths (5) and Statistics & Management Maths (4).
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