scholarly journals Applying mathematics in real-life problems: A case study of two senior high schools in Ghana

Author(s):  
JA Fletcher
Keyword(s):  
Author(s):  
Yarhands Dissou Arthur

The relevance of students’ academic interest in mathematics is of great concern to stakeholders in education. The present study models students’ interest in mathematics (SIM) using mathematics facility (MF), mathematics connection (MC), teacher motivation (TM) as well as instructor quality and availability (IQA). The study randomly selected 1500 students from 10 senior high schools from the Ashanti region of Ghana; however, 1,263 of the participants fully participated in the study. These participants were made to respond to validated self-administered questionnaires with alpha-reliability of 0.74, 0.69, 0.70, 0.699 and 0.68 for SIM, MC, MF, IQA and TM respectively. Findings from the study showed that MC, MF, IQA and TM explain 71.6% of the variance in students’ interest in mathematics. The study further found that approximately 15% of variability in teachers’ ability to connect mathematics to real life problems is attributable to availability of mathematics facility as well as instructor quality and availability. The study finally found that availability of mathematics facilities for teaching and learning explains 12.4% of instructor quality in teaching mathematics. The study concluded that students’ interest in mathematics is influenced significantly by the teachers’ ability to connect mathematics to real life and the immediate environment, availability of mathematics facility, teacher motivation as well as instructor quality and availability. The study recommended for mathematics educators to take into account the influence of these factors and integrate them in the delivery of mathematics in high schools.


Author(s):  
Miguel A. Gutiérrez-Naranjo ◽  
Mario J. Pérez-Jiménez

Local search is currently one of the most used methods for finding solutions in real-life problems. It is usually considered when the research is interested in the final solution of the problem instead of the how the solution is reached. In this paper, the authors present an implementation of local search with Membrane Computing techniques applied to the N-queens problem as a case study. A CLIPS program inspired in the Membrane Computing design has been implemented and several experiments have been performed. The obtained results show better average times than those obtained with other Membrane Computing implementations that solve the N-queens problem.


Author(s):  
Jean Philippe Pierre Décieux

Knowledge co-production is a solution-oriented approach to analysing real-life problems such as making the right decision in a given scenario. The most popular examples come from evidence-based policymaking contexts. Political decisions made in this way rely on specialist expertise co-produced in organisations that can be characterised as Hybrid Fora. However, despite the rise in popularity of Hybrid Fora and evidence-based policymaking processes, there are only a few studies that analyse the influencing factors of knowledge co-production in these contexts. The case study presented here addresses this new area of research through a documentary analysis and 11 expert interviews, both analysed via qualitative content analysis. First, the study reconstructs how knowledge is produced within an Expert Group of the European Commission. Second, it reflects how the produced knowledge is de facto included as “evidence” into the decision-making processes of the relevant policy area. The results of this study show that in this expert group, pragmatic and extra-scientific criteria such as specific stakes and interests as well as the group hierarchy controlled the process of knowledge co-production. Moreover, it also seems that knowledge produced by the interaction of experts within the examined Expert Group has a more symbolic, policy-orientated function, rather than being specifically used as decision-making evidence.


2011 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
pp. 47-55 ◽  
Author(s):  
Miguel A. Gutiérrez-Naranjo ◽  
Mario J. Pérez-Jiménez

Local search is currently one of the most used methods for finding solutions in real-life problems. It is usually considered when the research is interested in the final solution of the problem instead of the how the solution is reached. In this paper, the authors present an implementation of local search with Membrane Computing techniques applied to the N-queens problem as a case study. A CLIPS program inspired in the Membrane Computing design has been implemented and several experiments have been performed. The obtained results show better average times than those obtained with other Membrane Computing implementations that solve the N-queens problem.


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Negara Mangkubumi Kastolani

The superficial understanding and application of cultural values in the life of a pluralistic community is the main reason to conduct this research as a way to introduce the importance of national identity to students through mathematics learning. The provision of real-life problems in this study is expected to enhance the relationship between reality and mathematical knowledge. The old mosque of Tosora in Wajo can be an alternative to introduce mathematical activities based on local wisdom (ethnomathematics). This is qualitative descriptive research using a case study. Data were obtained through interviews, observation, and documentation. Data triangulation was used to check the validity. Furthermore, the data were analysed through Spradley model based on domain analysis and taxonomic analysis. The results showed that the old mosque of Tosora contains some mathematical concepts, mainly geometry. In addition to the philosophy of the building, the four pillars namely panrita (wise and honest), warani (brave), macca (intelligent), and sugi (rich) become the focal principles of Buginese’s life.


10.28945/2187 ◽  
2015 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elsje Scott ◽  
Maureen Tanner

The Information Systems (IS) profession is known as one of the most dynamic fields in our current day and age. Rapid advances in Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) increase the dependence of organizations on these ICTs and create a greater need for IS competence. This demand constitutes serious challenges to academia to provide graduates with the necessary skill set to fulfil their roles in industry and to cope more effectively with real life problems. In an attempt to address this skills gap, a theory of coherent practice was developed to act as a framework for creating a synthesis of theory and practice when designing curricula for undergraduate courses. This paper reports on a specific implementation that led to an industry partnership, and the construction of a Case study to support a flipped classroom approach and provide context for a real life problem. In addition, it guided the design of a set of carefully structured interventions directing student evolution through different stages of development. Although further refinement to the implementation of the theory in the design of second year courses is needed, the value of the approach in preparing students more effectively for professional practice is already apparent in student feedback and in their performance in the courses.


1970 ◽  
Author(s):  
Matisyohu Weisenberg ◽  
Carl Eisdorfer ◽  
C. Richard Fletcher ◽  
Murray Wexler

Author(s):  
Eleonora FIORE ◽  
Giuliano SANSONE ◽  
Chiara Lorenza REMONDINO ◽  
Paolo Marco TAMBORRINI

Interest in offering Entrepreneurship Education (EE) to all kinds of university students is increasing. Therefore, universities are increasing the number of entrepreneurship courses intended for students from different fields of study and with different education levels. Through a single case study of the Contamination Lab of Turin (CLabTo), we suggest how EE may be taught to all kinds of university students. We have combined design methods with EE to create a practical-oriented entrepreneurship course which allows students to work in transdisciplinary teams through a learning-by-doing approach on real-life projects. Professors from different departments have been included to create a multidisciplinary environment. We have drawn on programme assessment data, including pre- and post-surveys. Overall, we have found a positive effect of the programme on the students’ entrepreneurial skills. However, when the data was broken down according to the students’ fields of study and education levels, mixed results emerged.


2018 ◽  
Vol 60 (1) ◽  
pp. 55-65
Author(s):  
Krystyna Ilmurzyńska

Abstract This article investigates the suitability of traditional and participatory planning approaches in managing the process of spatial development of existing housing estates, based on the case study of Warsaw’s Ursynów Północny district. The basic assumption of the article is that due to lack of government schemes targeted at the restructuring of large housing estates, it is the business environment that drives spatial transformations and through that shapes the development of participation. Consequently the article focuses on the reciprocal relationships between spatial transformations and participatory practices. Analysis of Ursynów Północny against the background of other estates indicates that it presents more endangered qualities than issues to be tackled. Therefore the article focuses on the potential of the housing estate and good practices which can be tracked throughout its lifetime. The paper focuses furthermore on real-life processes, addressing the issue of privatisation, development pressure, formal planning procedures and participatory budgeting. In the conclusion it attempts to interpret the existing spatial structure of the estate as a potential framework for a participatory approach.


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