Modelling, Computers and Interactive Environments in Science and Mathematics Education

Welcome to the 2012 Symposium

Modelling, Computers and Interactive Environments in Science and Mathematics Education

At the ICNAAM 2012, International Conference of Numerical Analysis and Applied Mathematics

Kos, Greece, 19 – 25 September 2012

Organizers: Rui Gomes Neves & Vítor Duarte Teodoro

In the professional activities associated with science and mathematics (SM) the development of knowledge involves interactive research processes based on modelling actions that epistemologically balance different elements from theory, scientific computation and experimentation. It then follows that SM curricula and teaching-learning environments should be based on pedagogical methodologies inspired in the balanced interactive professional modelling processes, always taking into account specific area dependent contexts. Field implementations involve supporting meaningful learning paths going through balanced interactive explorations of all the different phases of the modelling cycle, namely, qualitative contextual description, definition, exploration, interpretation and validation of mathematical models, communication of results and generalizations. In addition, achieving an early epistemologically balanced integration of computational modelling is fundamental. However, in spite of the increasing amount of scientific evidence gathered over the years, the majority of current practices in courses for SM education are still not able to reflect professional SM epistemologies, a problem cutting across K12 and university levels. Moreover, these are courses that often have many students with fragmented knowledge states, deteriorating expectations and low exam success rates.

This Symposium aims to bring together mathematicians, scientists, and teachers interested in discussing contributions to improve on this situation. Focusing on secondary and introductory first cycle university levels we welcome theoretical, position, empirical or innovation development contributions distributed by all SM areas and applications, from physics, chemistry, biology, geology to mathematics. Topics include but are not limited to:

1. Conceptual understanding, mathematical reasoning and problem solving capabilities;
2. New approaches, curricula or teaching-learning sequences;
3. Interactive teaching-learning environments;
4. ICT, multimedia and scientific computation;
5. Teacher training and professional development.

This Symposium is a part of the 10th International Conference of Numerical Analysis and Applied Mathematics 2012 (ICNAAM 2012), which will be held in Kos, Greece, at the Kypriotis Hotels and Conference Center (http://www.kipriotis.gr/), on September 19-25, 2012. See the Conference webpage at http://www.icnaam.org/. Paper manuscripts should be submitted only to the Symposium Organizers at: rgn(at)fct.unl.pt; vdt(at)fct.unl.pt. Submitted manuscripts should be in AIP (American Institute of Physics) format and should not exceed 4 pages. Please read carefully the paper preparation guidelines at http://www.icnaam.org/abstract.htm and submit your contribution with scanned copies of the Submission Form and of the Transfer of Copyright Form no later than June 30, 2012. All accepted papers will be published in the ICNAAM 2012 Proceedings in the AIP Conference Proceedings Series which have been indexed, for example, in ISI Web of Knowledge, Zentrablatt fur Mathematik, MathSciNet, Scopus, Inspec, Scirus and Google Scholar, see more details at http://www.icnaam.org/proceeding.htm. Acceptance notices will be scheduled for July 15, 2012.