Using different digital tools in designing and solving mathematical modelling problems

Abstract

AbstractWhile existing studies acknowledge the importance of using technology in the mathematical modelling process, questions about how to integrate digital tools into mathematical modelling are not still answered. This study aims to examine pre-service mathematics teachers’ designing and solving mathematical modelling problems by using different digital tools through the collaboration of two different courses in their education program. The GeoGebra-supported modelling cycle was adopted as the conceptual framework of the study. The case study was used to design the research. The participants of the study were three volunteer pre-service secondary mathematics teachers, who were able to use and integrate digital tools in mathematics education. The pre-service teachers were asked to design a mathematical modelling problem by integrating different digital tools as the final assignment in both courses. The designed mathematical modelling problem, the video records of pre-service teachers’ explanations including the designing and solving process, and the video records of the focus group interview were the data of the study. The results showed that the pre-service teachers were able to design and solve an effective and comprehensive mathematical modelling problem using technology by combining their skills that they had learnt through different courses. In particular, they were able to use different digital tools in both designing and solving a mathematical modelling problem. Their solution also led to the extension of the adopted framework by adding new technological actions into the modelling stages.