In this article, we describe the generation of a Design and Implementation Framework for Mathematical Modelling Tasks (DIFMT) through a researcher-teacher collaboration. The purpose of the framework is to support holistic approaches to instructional modelling competency. This framework is underpinned by principles drawn from theory and praxis…

This paper describes university students' grasp of inflection points. The participants were asked what inflection points are, to mark inflection points on graphs, to judge the validity of related statements, and to find inflection points by investigating (1) a function, (2) the derivative, and (3) the graph of the derivative. We found four…

Although proof comprehension is fundamental in advanced undergraduate mathematics courses, there has been limited research on what it means to understand a mathematical proof at this level and how such understanding can be assessed. In this paper, we address these issues by presenting a multidimensional model for assessing proof comprehension in…

The purpose of this article is to describe how, within the Dutch approach to mathematics education, called "Realistic Mathematics Education" (RME), models are used to elicit students' growth in understanding of mathematics. First some background information is given about the characteristics of RME related to the role of models in this approach.…

The integration of history into educational practice can lead to the development of activities through the use of genetic "moments" in the history of mathematics. In the present paper, we utilize Oresme's genetic ideas--developed during the fourteenth century, including ideas on the velocity-time graphical representation as well as geometric…

Discusses the role of context problems as they are used in the Dutch approach known as realistic mathematics education (RME). Uses an RME design for a calculus course to illustrate that theory based on the design heuristic using context problems and modeling, which was developed for primary school mathematics, also fits advanced topics such as…

This paper is the "Discussion Document" for a forthcoming ICMI Study on "Applications and Modelling in Mathematics Education." As will be well-known, from time to time ICMI (the International Commission on Mathematical Instruction) mounts specific studies in order to investigate, both in depth and in detail, particular fields of interest in…

Discusses the changed roles of mathematics and novel representations that emerge from the ubiquity of computational models. Considers the implications for learning mathematics. Contends that a central component of knowledge required in modern societies involves the development of a meta-epistemological stance. Maps out implications for the design…

This paper deals with a teaching approach aimed to help students become aware of targeted techniques of significance in problem solving. The teaching approach is to present a series of tasks that all can be solved by applying the same technique. Two levels of prompting are used; first for the students to realize solutions without necessarily being…

Many mathematics departments usually teach a variety of courses for students from different science departments and even from different faculties. These "service" courses are usually taught in the same way as the courses for mathematics major students. However, in science, because of the need to better analyse and interpret experimental…