An investigation into the tension arising between natural language and mathematical language experienced by mechanical engineering students

Michael D. Peters, Edward Graham

    Research output: Chapter in Book/Published conference outputConference publication

    Abstract

    This investigation is grounded within the concept of embodied cognition where the mind is considered to be part of a biological system. A first year undergraduate Mechanical Engineering cohort of students was tasked with explaining the behaviour of three balls of different masses being rolled down a ramp. The explanations given by the students highlighted the cognitive conflict between the everyday interpretation of the word energy and its mathematical use. The results showed that even after many years of schooling, students found it challenging to interpret the mathematics they had learned and relied upon pseudo-scientific notions to account for the behaviour of the balls.
    Original languageEnglish
    Title of host publicationProceedings of 8th Congress of European Research in Mathematics Education
    EditorsBehiye Ubuz, Çiğdem Haser, Maria Alessandra Mariotti
    Place of PublicationAnkara (TR)
    Pages1536-1545
    Number of pages10
    Publication statusPublished - 31 Dec 2013
    Event8th Congress of the European Society for Research in Mathematics Education - Antalya, Turkey
    Duration: 6 Feb 201310 Feb 2013

    Congress

    Congress8th Congress of the European Society for Research in Mathematics Education
    Abbreviated titleCERME 8
    Country/TerritoryTurkey
    CityAntalya
    Period6/02/1310/02/13

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