Title of Initiative / Project
Why maths?
Name of Organiser
IES Álvarez Cubero
Start and ending date of the Initiative
2012-2014
Was the initiative carried out in the framework of a funded project?
Yes
Funding Programme
LLP Comenius Partnership
Title of the project
Why maths?
Promoter
IES Álvarez Cubero
Project number
2012-1-ES1-COM06-52752
Type of deliverables
Teaching Methodology, Didactical resource
Language of the deliverable
English
Target Group
Teachers, Students
Description of the initiative
Math teachers have always been interested in reducing under-achievement that students present in this subject. One problem is that Math can be very abstract. Students don’t see the real life applications of the content being studied. Yet Math is an important tool for other subjects, so students need to know it well. Therefore,we wanted to develop a project to help make this subject more practical by highlighting its various applications in other sciences and encouraging cross-curricular activities, creativity, innovation etc. Thanks to cooperation in an international context using ICT and English, students will realize that differences are not a drawback, but enriching opportunities. The analysis of historical and scientific data will enhance the application of Math in other disciplines and provide students with evidence of the importance of Math in everyday life. Math is a common language used by other subjects: Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Astronomy, Geography, Economics, Art, Philosophy, Music etc. to create models and share knowledge. This interdisciplinary approach will motivate the study of not only maths, but also its applications.
The students of all the partner schools prepare presentations working in international groups, using TwinSpace, Facebook and email to share information and prepare presentations.
The teachers coordinate, stimulate and help students in this task.
The presentations are prepared by the end of the year and shown to the other students and teachers of the school during a special workshop.
More Information
The initiative is interesting. It has the value of connecting different areas of knowledge. It is a good idea to highlight the applications of mathematics in other sciences and other areas of knowledge to increase student motivation about them. Such initiatives, where students and teachers from different countries work together to develop a project, provide participants diverse benefits beyond the objectives and results of the project such as: increasing their capacity for teamwork, knowledge of other countries and other cultures, social skills and communication.
Moreover, the project lacks a good presentation of results (Website). The stages of dissemination and exploitation of results is poor.
Teachers’ Opinion
Teacher
The initiative seems very good to develop it as an extracurricular activity. I think it is very positive collaboration between teachers from different countries to exchange good practices and this influences the quality of teaching and teachers’ motivation.
Moreover, I do not think that it is feasible rather than extracurricular activity because Math curricula are tight. It is necessary students achieve a range of knowledge and skills. This makes it difficult to integrate other activities which would take a lot of time by its experimental nature.
Students’ Opinion
I think an excellent experience for students. It would be very motivating for students to collaborate in developing a project with teachers and students from other countries. Students would try to get good results. The most important thing for students would be increased generic skills such as communication and teamwork.
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