The Library
Discussing perception, determining provision : teachers' perspectives on the applied options of A-level mathematics
Tools
Ward-Penny, Robert, Johnston-Wilder, Sue and Johnston-Wilder, Peter (2012) Discussing perception, determining provision : teachers' perspectives on the applied options of A-level mathematics. Teaching Mathematics and its Applications . ISSN 1471-6976.
Text
WRAP_Johnston_Wilder_0671798-ie-270912-discussing_perception_determining_provision_accepted_version.pdf - Accepted Version Embargoed item. Restricted access to Repository staff only Download (370Kb) |
Official URL: http://teamat.oxfordjournals.org/
Abstract
One-third of the current A-level mathematics curriculum is determined by choice, constructed out of ‘applied mathematics’ modules in mechanics, statistics and
decision mathematics. Although this choice arguably involves the most sizeable instance of choice in the current English school mathematics curriculum, and it has a significant impact on students’ post-compulsory study of mathematics, it is not well understood how this choice is navigated. This paper explores how mathematics teachers perceive each of these three areas of
applied mathematics, how widely each of the modules is offered, and in what ways perception might be connected to provision. Data from an online questionnaire and
follow-up interviews demonstrates that teachers are influenced by a wide range of factors, including strategic concerns and views on the relative worth of each strand.
The results also highlight the presence of inertia in centres’ provision. In this way this paper offers some insight into current perception and provision of
applied mathematics in England, and speaks to contemporary debates about curriculum content and reform. It argues that students’ exposure to the powerful
utility of mathematics is often unhelpfully steered or limited at a critical point in their education.
Item Type: | Journal Article | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Subjects: | L Education > LB Theory and practice of education > LB2300 Higher Education | ||||
Divisions: | Faculty of Social Sciences > Institute of Education ( -2013) | ||||
Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH): | Applied mathematics -- Study and teaching (Higher) -- Great Britain, Applied mathematics -- Curricula -- Great Britain | ||||
Journal or Publication Title: | Teaching Mathematics and its Applications | ||||
Publisher: | Oxford University Press | ||||
ISSN: | 1471-6976 | ||||
Official Date: | 2012 | ||||
Dates: |
|
||||
Status: | Peer Reviewed | ||||
Publication Status: | Published | ||||
Access rights to Published version: | Restricted or Subscription Access | ||||
Date of first compliant deposit: | 1 August 2016 | ||||
Funder: | Economic and Social Research Council (Great Britain) (ESRC) |
Request changes or add full text files to a record
Repository staff actions (login required)
View Item |