Modelagem matemática na educação básica: obstáculos e dificuldades apontados por professores

Abstract

The mathematical modelling in the perspective of mathematics education has achieved meaningful progress in the last years in relation to academic and scientific aspects, both nationally and internationally. Mathematics modelling may be considered a consolidated search field. This fact is evidenced considering the number of publications in scientific events, as well as magazines editions and books focused on mathematics education, which range from basic to higher education, as in colleges and universities. However, there are some indications that this mathematics modelling has faced weakness in terms of its application in classrooms of lower secondary levels. Based on this context, our research has investigated the obstacles and difficulties pointed out by recently graduated mathematics teachers of public colleges and universities in Paraná state. These professionals have studied Mathematics modelling during the graduation course, in the perspective of mathematics education, which is related to its application in classroom everyday activities. The methodological approach used to the survey data understanding was the Textual Analysis Discourse. Data collection was conducted through a questionnaire sent via Google Docs to 57 newly qualified math teachers, up to two years after graduation. All these professionals were teaching at public schools of Paraná state basic education. Among these, 26 have answered the questionnaire. We have established four categories covering the main obstacles and difficulties, pointed out by the teachers, subjects of this research, regarding the use of modelling in classroom, which are: (i) teachers’ insecurity in using this methodology in their classes; (ii) poor initial teachers’ training; (iii) difficulties because of traditional and conservative approach of the school system; (iv) difficulties in inserting students in the Modelling environment. These categories have shown that all obstacles and difficulties indicated by teachers about the modelling approach are basically associated to three features of resistance regarding changes in pedagogical practices, which are: (i) personal-emotional aspect, (ii) professional competence aspect, and (iii) institutional aspect.