Student attitudes towards linear algebra: an attempt to roll back the fog

Author(s):  
Barry J Griffiths ◽  
Samantha Shionis

Abstract In this study, we look at student perceptions of a first course in linear algebra, focusing on two specific aspects. The first is the statement by Carlson that a fog rolls in once abstract notions such as subspaces, span and linear independence are introduced, while the second investigates statements made by several authors regarding the negative emotions that students can experience during the course. An attempt is made to mitigate this through mediation to include a significant number of applications, while continually dwelling on the key concepts of the subject throughout the semester. The results show that students agree with Carlson’s statement, with the concept of a subspace causing particular difficulty. However, the research does not reveal the negative emotions alluded to by other researchers. The students note the importance of grasping the key concepts and are strongly in favour of using practical applications to demonstrate the utility of the theory.

2015 ◽  
Vol 39 (3) ◽  
pp. 198-204 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. Lakshmipathy

The objectives of the present study were to 1) assess student attitudes to physiology, 2) evaluate student opinions about the influence of an objective structured practical examination (OSPE) on competence, and 3) assess the validity and reliability of an indigenously designed feedback questionnaire. A structured questionnaire containing 16 item statements, 8 items on an Osgood's 5-point semantic differential scale and 8 items on a Likert's 5-point scale, was used. Options were assigned scores of 1–5 according to weightage. For Osgood's semantic differential scale items, a χ2-test was done to analyze student attitudes toward the subject. For Likert scale items, mean score and SD were calculated to analyze student opinions of the OSPE. Item validity was assessed by item analysis, and reliability was assessed by calculating Crohnbach's α. The subject as a whole was interesting to 82% of the students ( n = 135). The theory was interesting to 75% of the students ( n = 132) but complex to 42% ( n = 118). The practical was interesting to 93% of the students ( n = 134); 76% of the students ( n = 104) felt that the practical was simple, whereas 4% felt it was complex. The OSPE was interesting to 79% of the students ( n = 131); 57% of the students ( n = 116) felt it was simple, whereas 24% found it complex. Components of the subject, intricateness, and student interests were strongly associated. Students chose options on a higher weight scale, favoring the OSPE. Items were found to be valid and reliable. In conclusion, the subject of physiology was interesting but not simple to understand. Student interests varied with the components of the subject, and the components of the subject had varied intricateness. Students were in favor of the OSPE for assessment. The questionnaire used for the study was valid and reliable.


Author(s):  
Mihály Bakonyi ◽  
Hugo J. Woerdeman

Intensive research in matrix completions, moments, and sums of Hermitian squares has yielded a multitude of results in recent decades. This book provides a comprehensive account of this quickly developing area of mathematics and applications and gives complete proofs of many recently solved problems. With MATLAB codes and more than two hundred exercises, the book is ideal for a special topics course for graduate or advanced undergraduate students in mathematics or engineering, and will also be a valuable resource for researchers. Often driven by questions from signal processing, control theory, and quantum information, the subject of this book has inspired mathematicians from many subdisciplines, including linear algebra, operator theory, measure theory, and complex function theory. In turn, the applications are being pursued by researchers in areas such as electrical engineering, computer science, and physics. The book is self-contained, has many examples, and for the most part requires only a basic background in undergraduate mathematics, primarily linear algebra and some complex analysis. The book also includes an extensive discussion of the literature, with close to six hundred references from books and journals from a wide variety of disciplines.


Author(s):  
Admink Admink ◽  
Тетяна Уварова

Дослідження присвячено розкриттю сутності інтервального методу та введенню його як дослідницького інструменту культурології. Об’єктом дослідження постає методологія культурології, предметом – інтервальний метод, що сформувався у постмодерністській методології. Здійснено спробу експлікації ключових принципів інтервального методу та обґрунтовування необхідності його використання для дослідження культури. Наукова новизна полягає у введенні інтервального методу у методологічний інструментарій культурології. Зроблено висновок щодо можливості введення інтервального методу у методологію культурології як інструменту багатовимірного аналізу культури. The research aims to disclose the essence of an interval method and its introduction as a research tool for the methodology of cultural studies. The object of research is the methodology of culture, the subject of research is the interval method formed in the methodology of post-modernism. In the article, the author attempts to explicate key concepts of the interval method and justifies the necessity of its use in cultural research. Scientific novelty consists in introduction of the interval method into the methodology of cultural studies. The conclusion is made considering the possibility of introduction of the interval method in the methodology of cultural studies as a tool for multidimensional analysis of culture.


1980 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 93-104 ◽  
Author(s):  
A.W. Peterson ◽  
T. Blench

This paper, for river engineers and their environmental counterparts, presents and explains the origin and potential of four-dimensional charts that smooth most of the world's numerical data obtained from the equilibrium dimensions of sand rivers, gravel rivers, and laboratory flumes. These charts aim to provide a practical service comparable with that provided by factual plots on the comprehensive classic three-dimensional Stanton friction-factor diagram for circular pipes and clean Newtonian fluid. In the river problems, especially, the existence of different phases (whose transitions are not susceptible to formulation), the inadequacies of textbook theories even for simple phases, and the unavoidable imperfections of both field and laboratory measurements combine to prevent responsible design. The remedy is a graphing of total information backed by references from which its reliability and practicability can be assessed.The references have been chosen to contain principal information in the forms of: (i) usable photos, graphs, and tables; (ii) explanations free from specialized mathematics and speculative arguments; and (iii) papers with discussions, authors' replies, and further useful references (since a major reference list would be too long for this paper). Because condensation has had to be extreme the authors will be glad to attempt answers to discussions and questions on the subject matter, its practical applications, and its implications in teaching and research.


2009 ◽  
Vol 133 (9) ◽  
pp. 1457-1462
Author(s):  
Anurag Saxena ◽  
Raenelle Nesbitt ◽  
Punam Pahwa ◽  
Sheryl Mills

Abstract Context.—Second-year medical students are introduced to many new terms and concepts in a short time frame in the hematology system and the neoplasia section of the undergraduate pathology course. It is a challenge to provide adequate practice and necessary repetition to reinforce key concepts. Objective.—To determine student perceptions of the usefulness of crosswords as a quick and effective way to reinforce essential concepts and vocabulary. Design.—Crosswords with ensured content validity built on a free Internet resource were completed by the students in collaborative and cooperative groups of 6 to 7 with a reward for the first group to successfully complete the puzzle. Student perceptions of the value of crosswords for their learning were examined in 2003 (39 students) with a survey of yes or no responses and in 2004 (41 students) with a survey using questions with a 5-point Likert scale. Results.—Many students (37 of 39 in 2003 and 24 of 41 in 2004) indicated that crosswords were useful and contributed to their learning. Specifically, crosswords were found to be useful for identifying key concepts and vocabulary and for their collaborative and competitive aspects. Written and informal comments indicated student enthusiasm for and a desire to participate in more of these exercises. Students have transferred this review strategy to other classes and the peer teachers have expressed an interest in it as an adjunct teaching tool. Conclusions.—The judicious use of crosswords was useful for near transfer content and provided an opportunity to discuss and recall essential concepts, think critically, and collaborate in small groups.


Author(s):  
Nátalia NAKANO ◽  
Talita Cristina da SILVA ◽  
Maria José Vicentini JORENTE ◽  
José Eduardo SANTARÉM SEGUNDO

In 2001 Tim Berners-Lee revealed to the world what he wanted for the future of Web - man and machine working together to develop complex tasks, and that the Web could leverage the way human knowledge is acquired. Since then researchers from different fields of knowledge have engaged in scientific and empirical research to make this dream come true. In this context, the research problem of this article is established: What is the current situation of Semantic Web research in Brazil in Information Science? Who are the researchers of this theme in our country? What are the institutions that support these studies? The present study aimed at listing the most productive authors, institutions that support their research and the specific issues of their investigations. We conducted a literature review in Base de Dados Referencial de Artigos de Periódicos em Ciência da Informação (BRAPCI). We retrieved 41 articles, excluded five for not belonging to Brazilian authors and Brazilian institutions. From the analysis of this corpus, we realized the need to include additional keywords to better understanding of specific studies encompassed by the theme. Thus, we included the keywords: SPARQL, SKOS, RDF and ontology. It was concluded that the studies on the Semantic Web under the aegis of Information Science mostly perform theoretical and philosophical studies, while the computer science professionals seek practical applications of the topic. It was also concluded that a study including other databases could reveal other authors and institutions relevant to the subject of study.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jordan Chang ◽  
Erik Menke

This work describes the evaluation of the Attitude toward the Subject of Chemistry Inventory (ASCI), as well as two modifications (one for measuring attitude toward math and one for measuring attitude toward biology), for college students at a Hispanic Serving Institution. Instrument reliability was tested via multiple administrations of the instruments,and confirmatory factor analysis supported a two-factor structure similar to an existing model of a revised version of the ASCI for all three instruments. The similar factor structure of the three instruments, coupled with interviews with students, provide validity evidence for the instruments and support an interpretation that one of the subscales aligns with a cognitive aspect of attitude while the other subscale aligns with an affective aspect. The results of these instruments indicate that students have a more positive attitude towards biology than either chemistry or math, and more positive affective attitude than cognitive attitude for all three subjects, although student attitudes show little change with respect to biology, chemistry, or math during a typical semester. However, major perturbations, such as switching to remote instruction mid-semester, can lead to small but significant increases and decreases in attitude.


2015 ◽  
Vol 49 (5) ◽  
pp. 1
Author(s):  
Yuriy M. Bogachkov ◽  
Jacob A. Feldman

Considering total crisis in education in Informational Age, we suggest that to overcome the crisis, it is necessary to promote pedagogical science up from "pre-paradigm stage” to the "paradigm stage". For this purpose it is necessary to separate the "educational science" from "education." “Educational paradigm” in such study will be the subject of the science. The key concepts for the "pedagogical paradigm" should be the concepts of "educational practice", "class of problems" and "educational text". We offer some axioms around these concepts.


Author(s):  
Oyuna Tsydendambaeva ◽  
Olga Dorzheeva

This article is dedicated to the examination of euphemisms in the various-system languages – English and Buryat that contain view of the world by a human, and the ways of their conceptualization. Euphemisms remain insufficiently studied. Whereupon, examination of linguistic expression of the key concepts of culture is among the paramount programs of modern linguistics, need for the linguoculturological approach towards analysis of euphemisms in the languages, viewing it in light of the current sociocultural transformations, which are refer to euphemisms and values reflected by them. The subject of this research is the euphemisms in the English and Buryat languages, representing the semiosphere “corporeal and spiritual”. The scientific novelty consists in introduction of the previously unexamined euphemism in Buryat language that comprise semiosphere “corporeal and spiritual” into the scientific discourse. The analysis of language material testifies to the fact that in various cultures the topic of intimacy and sex is euphemized differently. The lexis indicating the intimate parts of the body is vividly presented in the West, while in Buryat language – rather reserved. The author also determines the common, universal, and nationally marked components elucidating the linguistic worldview of different ethnoses and cultures.


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