The notion of function is central in all of the secondary curriculum, and indeed functional models appear in almost all higher education that is based on mathematics. However, in secondary education, functions usually appear in restricted and somewhat sterile forms. In this (mostly theoretical) paper, we present a proposal -- exemplified by a…

Discrete mathematics and mathematical modelling, along with the educational discourse surrounding these, have many connections. However, ways that the educational discourse on discrete mathematics can benefit from the inclusion of examples of mathematical modelling and the accompanying discussion are currently under-researched. In this paper, we…

Possessing mathematical competence is a pre requisite for independently comprehending, understanding and applying all features of mathematical modelling in a particular setting. This research study thus explores the mathematical modelling competencies that Grade 10 learners exhibit while solving contextual problems in a mathematics learning and…

The use of authentic real-world problems that reflect the applied nature of mathematics is not prevalent in formal secondary school settings. In this study, we explore the interface between workplace mathematics, particularly tech-related real-world (TRW) problems, and school mathematics, through the explication of mathematical modeling. The…

Network analysis is a topic in secondary mathematics education of growing importance because it offers students an opportunity to understand how to model and solve many authentic technology and engineering problems. However, very little is known about how students make sense of the algorithms typically used in network analysis. In this study, I…

Task enrichment is an important teacher competency that can be considered as a special case of problem posing. For that reason, the theoretical framework of this article includes an overview of this topic, complemented with the analysis of inverse problems. The field work of this research was carried out in master courses in the University of…

This study takes a closer look at Form Four students' initial mathematical modelling process when solving mathematical problems using GeoGebra. The modelling process was observed from cognitive perspective to learn the difficulties students faced during the process and the result would give ideas for intervention. Qualitative approach by using…

Creativity has been identified as a key characteristic that allows students to adapt smoothly to rapid societal and economic changes in the real world. However, Chinese students appear to perform less well in mathematical problem-solving and problem-posing abilities, which are strongly connected to mathematical creativity. Mathematical modelling…

Recently a teacher friend enquired about the S-I-R equations for disease spread, and what follows was stimulated by that exchange. COVID-19 provides an opportunity to put mathematical flesh on verbal bones such as "self-isolation", "lockdown", "herd immunity", "flattening the curve", "closed…

Based on the unpredictable effect of context familiarity when students solve real-world problems, this work aims to analyse how certain contexts can be used by pre-service mathematics teachers in the representation and real-world verification of a first-order mathematical model in the classroom in the subject of Ordinary Differential Equations.…

The Queensland Certificate of Education (QCE) system is Queensland's senior school qualification. To support the introduction of the system in 2019, existing senior syllabuses were redeveloped and a new senior assessment model was established, this included the implementation of a mandatory high-stakes assessment task, the Problem-solving and…

A mathematics framework was developed to integrate problem-solving that incorporated simulation of real-life problems in the classrooms. The framework coined as the "RECCE-MODEL" emphasised understanding and thinking with a view on mathematics embedded in real-life. The "RECCE" which stands for Realistic, Educational,…

The purpose of this study is to reveal factors considered by mathematics student teachers while posing modelling problems. The participants were twenty-seven mathematics student teachers and posed their modelling problems within their groups. The data were obtained from the modelling problems posed by the participants, their solutions on these…

Integrating the disciplines of mathematics and science is one way to place the calculations of volume and surface area into a real life context. The authors present an activity for middle-school students that aims to promote their learning of these key concepts in a personally meaningful way, whilst also developing inquiry and problem solving…

Algebra is considered an important high school course because it is recognized as the gateway to higher mathematics, college opportunities, and well-paying jobs. In the United States, most secondary schools require students to be proficient in algebra to be able to graduate from high school. One major component of algebra is word problem solving,…