Hyland, Diarmaid and van Kampen, Paul and Nolan, Brien
(2021)
Introducing direction fields to students learning ordinary differential equations (ODEs) through guided inquiry.
International Journal of Mathematical Education in Science and Technology, 52 (3).
ISSN 0020-739X
Abstract
This paper reports on an intervention as part of which direction fields were introduced to students learning ordinary differential equations (ODEs). The intervention was designed and implemented to address issues with students’ conceptions of the solutions of ODEs. These were identified by a diagnostic survey and through a review of the lit- erature. The intervention comprised fifteen guided inquiry tutorials, one of which introduced students to direction fields in the context of first order ODEs. A combination of interviews and immediate and delayed post-testing was used to measure the impact of the tuto- rial. The design of the tutorial and the results of the interviews and post-test data are reported. A large majority of the students who completed the tutorial were able to successfully complete tasks link- ing direction fields to their study of ODEs. A significant improvement was also observed in relation to students’ conceptions of solutions to an ODE.
| Item Type: |
Article
|
| Keywords: |
differential equations; direction fields; solutions to differential
equations; guided inquiry; |
| Academic Unit: |
Faculty of Science and Engineering > Mathematics and Statistics |
| Item ID: |
18234 |
| Identification Number: |
https://doi.org/10.1080/0020739X.2019.1670367 |
| Depositing User: |
Mr Diarmaid Hyland
|
| Date Deposited: |
01 Mar 2024 11:56 |
| Journal or Publication Title: |
International Journal of Mathematical Education in Science and Technology |
| Publisher: |
Taylor & Francis |
| Refereed: |
Yes |
| URI: |
|
| Use Licence: |
This item is available under a Creative Commons Attribution Non Commercial Share Alike Licence (CC BY-NC-SA). Details of this licence are available
here |
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