Papers by Nicholas Mousoulides
From Problem Solving to Modelling-A Meta-Analysis
Citeseer
Page 1. From Problem Solving to Modelling-A meta-analysis Nicholas Mousoulides1, Constantinos Chr... more Page 1. From Problem Solving to Modelling-A meta-analysis Nicholas Mousoulides1, Constantinos Christou2, Bharath Sriraman3 Abstract: Mathematical modelling is a complex mathematical activity, and the teaching and learning ...
Bridging STEM in a Real-World Problem
Mathematics Teaching in the Middle School, 2015
A sixth-grade engineering-based modeling activity asks students to select the best possible desig... more A sixth-grade engineering-based modeling activity asks students to select the best possible design for a reconstructed bridge.
Reflections on Progress in Mathematical Modelling Research
The Second Handbook of Research on the Psychology of Mathematics Education, 2016
School of Curriculum Faculty of Education, 2009
Engineering education for elementary school students is a new and increasingly important domain o... more Engineering education for elementary school students is a new and increasingly important domain of research by mathematics, science, technology, and engineering educators. Recent research has raised questions about the context of engineering problems that are meaningful, engaging, and inspiring for young students. In the present study an environmental engineering activity was implemented in two classes of 11-year-old students in Cyprus. The problem required students to use the data to develop a procedure for selecting among alternative countries from which to buy water. Students created a range of models that adequately solved the problem although not all models took into account all of the data provided. The models varied in the number of problem factors taken into consideration and also in the different approaches adopted in dealing with the problem factors. At least two groups of students integrated into their models the environmental aspect of the problem (energy consumption, water pollution) and further refined their models. Results provide evidence that engineering modeleliciting activities can be successfully integrated in the elementary mathematics curriculum. These activities provide rich opportunities for students to deal with engineering contexts and to apply their learning in mathematics and science to solving real-world engineering problems.
International Journal For Technology in Mathematics Education, 2006
Designing successful learning environments entails drawing on theoretical perspectives on learnin... more Designing successful learning environments entails drawing on theoretical perspectives on learning while, at the same time, being cognisant of the affordances and constraints of the technology. This paper reports on the development of a software environment called 3DMath, a dynamic three-dimensional geometry microworld aimed at enabling learners to construct, observe and manipulate geometrical figures in a 3D-like space. During the development of 3DMath, the key elements of visualisation, including theoretical ideas of mental images, external representations, and the processes and abilities of visualisation, were taken into consideration. The aim of this paper is to illustrate how the design of this particular software was informed by these elements of visualisation, as well as by theories related to the philosophical basis of mathematical knowledge and by semiotics. The paper illustrates how the features of software can be designed to take account of relevant theoretical notions and to satisfy the characteristics of instructional techniques that are appropriate to theoretical perspectives on learning.
This article argues for a future-oriented, inclusion of engineering modeling activities in introd... more This article argues for a future-oriented, inclusion of engineering modeling activities in introductory engineering courses at the university level. Engineering modeling activities provide a rich source of meaningful engineering problem situations that capitalise on and extend students' existing mathematics and engineering learning. We give consideration here to engineering modeling activities as a means for providing freshmen students with opportunities to work with authentic engineering problems even in introductory courses, to work in groups, to develop and revise powerful models and to document and present their solutions. We then report on a study in which a class of 29 first year civil engineering students developed several different models for solving the Bridge Design modeling activity. Results showed that students created models that adequately solved the engineering problem, although students did not seem fully aware of how their models should be revised in incorporating all provided data. Finally, recommendations for implementing engineering modeling activities and for further research are presented.
International Group For the Psychology of Mathematics Education, Jul 1, 2004
Based on a synthesis of the literature, a model for problem posing cognitive processes was formul... more Based on a synthesis of the literature, a model for problem posing cognitive processes was formulated, and validated. The major constructs incorporated in this framework were the situations in which problem posing occurs. For each situation, four cognitive processes were established: the editing of problems based on iconic or symbolic stimuli, the filtering of important and critical information, the comprehending of the structural relations in quantitative information, and the translating on the quantitative information from one mode to another. The data suggested that all four cognitive processes contributed to problem posing abilities with the filtering and editing having a heavier role than the comprehending and translating processes.
Engineering-based modelling experiences in the elementary classroom
School of Curriculum Faculty of Education, 2011
Introducing engineering-based model-eliciting experiences in the elementary curriculum is a new a... more Introducing engineering-based model-eliciting experiences in the elementary curriculum is a new and increasingly important domain of research by mathematics, science, technology, and engineering educators. Recent research has raised questions about the context of ...
Designing learning environments entails drawing on theoretical perspectives on learning while, at... more Designing learning environments entails drawing on theoretical perspectives on learning while, at the same time, being cognisant of the affordances and constraints of the technology. This paper reflects on the design process through utilising evidence from the design stage of the development of a dynamic visualisation software environment called 3DMath. During the development of 3DMath, a dynamic three-dimensional geometry microworld aimed at enabling learners to construct, observe and manipulate geometrical figures in a 3D-like space, the key elements of visualisation-covering mental images, external representations, and the processes and abilities of visualisation-were taken into consideration. The aim of this paper is to illustrate how the design of this particular software was informed by these elements of visualisation, as well as by theories related to the philosophical basis of mathematical knowledge and by semiotics. The paper illustrates how the features of software may be designed to take account of relevant theoretical notions and to satisfy the characteristics of instructional techniques that are appropriate to theoretical perspectives on learning.
The modeling perspective in the teaching and learning of mathematical probem solving: doctoral dissertation
Mathematical Modeling with SimCalc: Enhancing Students’ Complex Problem Solving Skills Using a Modeling Approach
Advances in Mathematics Education, 2013
Engineering based modeling activities for enhancing student communication and teamwork skills
2010 IEEE Frontiers in Education Conference (FIE), 2010
Abstract - This paper argues for a future-oriented, inclusion of engineering modeling activities ... more Abstract - This paper argues for a future-oriented, inclusion of engineering modeling activities in introductory engineering courses at the university level. Engineering model eliciting activities provide a rich source of meaningful engineering problem situations that capitalise on and ...
Integrating engineering education within the elementary and middle school mathematics curriculum
School of Curriculum Faculty of Education, 2009
The impact of an in-service course on new technologies in mathematics education on teachers and their students
Geogebra as a Conceptual Tool for Modeling Real World Problems
Model-Centered Learning, 2011
Kindergarten students' understanding of probability concepts
Faculty of Education, 2009
Stereometry activities with DALEST
Students' motivational beliefs, self-regulation strategies and mathematics achievement
ABSTRACT
Given the increasing importance of mathematics, science, engineering, and technology in our world... more Given the increasing importance of mathematics, science, engineering, and technology in our world, it is imperative that we foster an interest and drive to participate in engineering from an early age. This paper argues for the integration of engineering education within the elementary school mathematics and science curricula. In doing so, we address engineering education's core goals for elementary school students and present one approach to promoting engineering education within the elementary school mathematics and science curriculum, namely through mathematical modeling. In this study we report on an analysis of the mathematical developments of twenty two 12 year old students as they worked on a complex environmental modeling problem. The activity required students to analyse a real-world situation based on the water shortage problem in Cyprus, to pose and test conjectures, to compare alternatives, and to construct models that are generalizable and re-usable. Results provide evidence that students successfully constructed models for solving the problem, considering a number of environmental and energy consumption related concerns. Students' mathematical developments included creating models for selecting the best place to supply Cyprus with water, finding and relating variant and invariant measures such as tanker capacity, oil consumption, and water price. Finally, implications for further research are discussed.
Integrating engineering education in the middle school mathematics curriculum
English, Lyn D. and Mousoulides, Nicholas G. (2009) Integrating engineering education in the midd... more English, Lyn D. and Mousoulides, Nicholas G. (2009) Integrating engineering education in the middle school mathematics curriculum. In: Sriraman, Bharath and Freiman, Viktor and Lirette-Pitre, Nicole (Eds.) Interdisciplinarity, Creativity, and Learning. The Montana Mathematics ...
Uploads
Papers by Nicholas Mousoulides