From ritual to exploration : The evolution of biology students’ mathematical discourse through mathematical modelling activities

• We report analyses from a collaborative, developmental research project between two Norwegian centres of excellence in higher education (MatRIC and bioCEED) in which biology-related mathematical modelling (MM) activities are introduced to biology students as a means to motivate their appreciation for, and competence in, mathematics. This phase of the project involved four sessions with 11 first-semester students. We report data and analyses from two activities: Yeast Growth and Digoxin. Our commognitive analyses trace the evolution of the students’ mathematical discourse in two episodes, revealing a scaffolding story about the gradual transition from ritualized to exploratory engagement with MM, and pointing to the crucial role played by the teacher in this process. We conclude with discussing some implications of our analysis for the design and use of MM activities for students of Biology, and other non-mathematics specialisms.

Subject headings

SAMHÄLLSVETENSKAP  -- Utbildningsvetenskap -- Didaktik (hsv//swe)

SOCIAL SCIENCES  -- Educational Sciences -- Didactics (hsv//eng)

Keyword

Theory of commognition; mathematical modelling in biology; mathematical discourse; routines; rituals and explorations.

Publication and Content Type

ref (subject category)

kon (subject category)