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Mathematics in physics classrooms: a case study on mathematical reasoning in relation to the notion of specific heat capacity.

Hansson, Örjan ; Juter, Kristina LU and Redfors, Andreas (2022) The Ninth Nordic Conference on Mathematics Education, NORMA 20 In Skrifter från Svensk förening för MatematikDidaktisk Forskning p.65-72
Abstract
This study is part of a larger study of mathematics in physics teaching at upper secondary school. In this paper we focus on the use of mathematics in relation to the teaching of specific heat capacity of water. We report from two physics lessons with first-year students (lecture, problem solving, and labwork). One observation is the frequent technical use of mathematics during the lessons, which is consistent with the teachers view on the role of mathematics in physics teaching. Another observation is how mathematical notions are misrepresented when theoretical frameworks become dominant in the interpretation of data, e.g. notions as “points on a line”, “the equation of a line” or “function” with implied consequences for the students’... (More)
This study is part of a larger study of mathematics in physics teaching at upper secondary school. In this paper we focus on the use of mathematics in relation to the teaching of specific heat capacity of water. We report from two physics lessons with first-year students (lecture, problem solving, and labwork). One observation is the frequent technical use of mathematics during the lessons, which is consistent with the teachers view on the role of mathematics in physics teaching. Another observation is how mathematical notions are misrepresented when theoretical frameworks become dominant in the interpretation of data, e.g. notions as “points on a line”, “the equation of a line” or “function” with implied consequences for the students’ understanding of mathematics and physics. One
conclusion is that more emphasis should be made on a structural use of mathematics, i.e., the meaning of concepts and models, in physics teaching. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
; and
publishing date
type
Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding
publication status
published
subject
host publication
Bringing Nordic mathematics into the future. : Proceedings of Norma 20 - Proceedings of Norma 20
series title
Skrifter från Svensk förening för MatematikDidaktisk Forskning
issue
17
pages
65 - 72
publisher
Swedish Society for Research in Mathematics Education (SMDF)
conference name
The Ninth Nordic Conference on Mathematics Education, NORMA 20
conference location
Oslo, Norway
conference dates
2021-06-01 - 2021-06-04
ISSN
1651-3274
ISBN
978-91-984024-6-9
language
English
LU publication?
no
id
763d29a0-820f-4ec4-8e24-8369d6747950
date added to LUP
2024-01-29 13:29:22
date last changed
2024-03-14 10:38:42
@inproceedings{763d29a0-820f-4ec4-8e24-8369d6747950,
  abstract     = {{This study is part of a larger study of mathematics in physics teaching at upper secondary school. In this paper we focus on the use of mathematics in relation to the teaching of specific heat capacity of water. We report from two physics lessons with first-year students (lecture, problem solving, and labwork). One observation is the frequent technical use of mathematics during the lessons, which is consistent with the teachers view on the role of mathematics in physics teaching. Another observation is how mathematical notions are misrepresented when theoretical frameworks become dominant in the interpretation of data, e.g. notions as “points on a line”, “the equation of a line” or “function” with implied consequences for the students’ understanding of mathematics and physics. One<br/>conclusion is that more emphasis should be made on a structural use of mathematics, i.e., the meaning of concepts and models, in physics teaching.}},
  author       = {{Hansson, Örjan and Juter, Kristina and Redfors, Andreas}},
  booktitle    = {{Bringing Nordic mathematics into the future. : Proceedings of Norma 20}},
  isbn         = {{978-91-984024-6-9}},
  issn         = {{1651-3274}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  number       = {{17}},
  pages        = {{65--72}},
  publisher    = {{Swedish Society for Research in Mathematics Education (SMDF)}},
  series       = {{Skrifter från Svensk förening för MatematikDidaktisk Forskning}},
  title        = {{Mathematics in physics classrooms: a case study on mathematical reasoning in relation to the notion of specific heat capacity.}},
  year         = {{2022}},
}