Ok, so the formal part of my action research has come to an end although I will continue to add links between the maths and science departments to help students. The feedback from them is very positive in using the cards in science although many cannot see the relevance in maths. Hmmm. I think this will change if a couple of the maths teachers give specific examples of an application of maths in science when teaching it - percentages and efficiency for example.
I'm going to write a list of the language problems I've learnt about through the course of the research and share them with all maths and science teachers in my school. Hopefully everyone will recognise that we either need to explain why there is a difference between the subjects (or at least that we know that there is a difference) or find some middle ground and get rid of the difference.
I'll post an extract from my report on here later in the week.
Hi
ReplyDeleteInteresting to see someone considering similar things. As a fellow physicist (I assume) I wonder if your motivation is the same way round as for me.
For me, students can more often complete the math in a science context, but totally fail in the more abstract maths lesson type problem. Unfortunately, the more abstract type questions come up on maths papers, not science papers.
After harmonising language and agreeing to disagree over things like "best fit" lines, we are almost back to square one -- sure the maths department now use our examples and we use their terms -- but transfer of mathematical thinking still seems low.
I have spun off http://mathsforscience.co.uk/ with no content yet -- would love to collaborate if you fancy having a go.
Cheers
Glen
Hi Glen
ReplyDeleteThanks for responding! I teach in an 11-16 school and none of us teach our specialisms. I teach all 3 to GCSE. My degree is Biology/Chemistry, PGCE Chemistry. I've done some top up Physics but I am in no way a physicist! Hence, the extent of my Maths in science is limited to GCSE.
However, I love Maths and Physics and I find myself frustrated that the maths that explains physics and really should make it easier is actually a huge stumbling block for many students. Sadly we have no original Physics specialists - some conversions.
If you still think collaboration is an option contact me on twitter @ejw232
Thanks
Emma