Problem Posing and Solving: Strategic Italian Key Action to Enhance Teaching and Learning Mathematics and Informatics in the High School

Abstract

Abstract-The Project PP&S, Problem Posing & Solving, is part of a set of initiatives promoted by the General Directorate of the Italian Ministry of Education, Research and University, aimed to support the many innovations in the High School. Its main goal is to enhance teaching and learning Mathematics and Informatics using new methodologies and technologies, like an elearning platform integrated with an Advanced Computing Environment and with a web conference system. This integrated environment makes available to teachers and students a powerful set of features for collaborative learning, e-tutoring and eassessment.

Teacher training: a model for introducing innovative digital methodologies for learning Mathematics

“…The model was developed at the Department of Mathematics in 2011, and then used to support the action of the Italian Ministry of Education within the Project Problem Posing and Solving (PP&S) (Brancaccio, et al, 2015a). Since 2012 about 2400 Italian teachers have been trained on these methodologies.…”

“…The student, freed from the burdens of calculations, focuses on solution strategies. The problem posing and problem solving skills developed are also very useful in all disciplines as well as for the formation of a more informed citizen (Brancaccio, et al, 2015a).  Use of a Virtual Learning Environment (VLE): it opens up a great variety of interaction channels among mentors and learners of different level.…”

“…In 2012 the University of Turin has been called by the Italian Ministry of Education to support a strong action aimed at innovating Mathematics teaching and learning in the secondary schools (Brancaccio, et al, 2015a). The methodologies proposed, rooted in problem posing and solving, make use of an Advance Computing Environment, a Virtual Learning Environment and an Automatic Assessment System for learning Mathematics.…”

Realignment Course in Mathematics: design of an online valuable experience for students

“…The online courses are structured according to educational models grown thanks to the experience and the research in e-learning and digital asset carried out by the University, especially in the use of a learning management system integrated with an advanced computing environment and an automated assessment system (Brancaccio, et al, 2015) This paper focuses on the design of the Realignment Courses (RC), which pay great attention to providing users a valuable learning experience. The RC in Mathematics is analyzed in the light of models of learning design from the literature; the discussion is supported by data from the activities usage.…”

Developing problem solving competences through the resolution of contextualized problems with an Advanced Computing Environment

“…European guidelines ask schools to prepare tomorrow's citizens to adapt to ever-changing works and to a world that is more and more dependent on technologies (European Commission, 2015). National educational systems have had to come to terms with this and have issued new indications and actions for teacher training, involving new methodologies rooted in problem posing and solving and in the use of learning technologies (MIUR, 2010) (Brancaccio, et al, 2015). The request of making students able to deal with real problems has recently landed into universities, which traditionally pay less attention to didactic approaches.…”