Open Access. Powered by Scholars. Published by Universities.®

Engineering Commons

Open Access. Powered by Scholars. Published by Universities.®

Articles 1 - 2 of 2

Full-Text Articles in Engineering

Mathematics: Creating Value For Engineering Students, Eileen Goold Jan 2014

Mathematics: Creating Value For Engineering Students, Eileen Goold

Conference Papers

While students’ attainment in mathematics and their attitudes about mathematics are strongly inter-related, value is an important concept in mathematics education. It is arguable that lecturers, especially in engineering faculties, know little about the relationships students form with mathematics; for example what value do engineering students place on mathematics learning? Mathematics is often perceived as a difficult subject and it is associated with certainty and with being able to get the right answer. However the narrowness of the assessment process overshadows predictors of achievement behaviour: expectancy (am I able to do the task?) and value (why should I do the …


Investigating Engineering Practice Is Valuable For Mathematics Learning, Eileen Goold Dr Jan 2014

Investigating Engineering Practice Is Valuable For Mathematics Learning, Eileen Goold Dr

Conference Papers

While engineering mathematics curricula often prescribe a fixed body of mathematical knowledge, this study takes a different approach; second-year engineering students are additionally required to investigate and document an aspect of mathematics used in engineering practice. A qualitative approach is used to evaluate the impact that students’ investigations have on their mathematics learning and whether this approach creates greater value for students compared to curriculum mathematics learning. This article contains an account of students’ engagement with and their emotional responses to their investigations of professional engineers’mathematics usage.The study illustrates the positive changes in students’ mathematics attitudes arising from their insights …