The Role of Mathematical

Modelling by Using Real World

Mathematics in Lower
Secondary School
(Opportunities and Problems)
By
Irfan Rusmar
 Modelling

Model is an example for imitation or

emulation
And
Modelling is an activity in which we think
about and make models to describe how
devices or objects of interest behave.
(Dym, 2004: 3)
Modelling Cycle in Mathematics

Extra-mathematical Mathematics
world

(Cited in Galbraith et al)

 The Process of Mathematical
Modelling

Solve the
Specify the real Formulate a
mathematical
problem mathematical model
problem

Communicate the
Compare with reality Interpret the solution
result
 Definition of Modelling in
Mathematics

Mathematical modeling is a process of

structuring the extra-mathematical
(from the real world) to decide suitable
mathematics content, to working
mathematically within mathematics.
 Modelling in Lower Secondary
School
Most primary and lower secondary
students are difficult to motivate:
• Mathematical Concepts
• Methods
• Techniques
• Terminology
• Results
 Modelling in Lower Secondary
School
Unless:

• Clear references to the use of

mathematics
• Relevance of mathematics to extra-
mathematical context and situation
(Real World Mathematics)
(Galbraith, n.d)
 Real World Mathematics

According to Blum (1993),

Realistic Mathematics means that the
problem situations should be
experientially real for student, from out
side of mathematics.
 Why Real World?
• basically in the use of mathematics you
have to formulate problems from
outside of maths as well as solving them
after you succeeded in formulating
them (Pollak, n.d: 111)
• … realistic teaching is an appropriate
method for quantitative literacy
training (Steen, 1998,2001; Alsina, n.d).
Everything that has to do with

• Nature

• Society

• Culture
 Including:

• Everyday life as well as school and

university subjects or
• Scientific and Scholarly disciplines
different from mathematics.
(discussion document of ICMI Study;
Alsina, n.d)
 All of these because:
Students will appreciate their creativity
or discover their limitations.
 Mathematical Modelling - The Real
World Approach

• Contribute giving more meaning to the

teaching and learning mathematics.
• Helps learners to understand the lesson.
• Helps learners to understand how models in
mathematics are invented.

(Turmudi, et al, n.d)

 We as a teacher should know:
• Why we teach the lessons
• Do we believe what we have said?
• Are the results practical, and are the answers
reasonable?
• Encourage students to be able to construct their
own idea
Don’t say:
• “What is the solution for this problem?” or “Prove
it”
However
• “Here is the situation, can you figure out what is
going on?”
 How to teach the students in
realistic math modelling?

According to Griffin (2011), there are four methods

of teaching real world mathematical modelling:

Suggest several examples of how mathematics skills

can be used in the real world. (For instance, “counting
money and calculating bank account”)

Use daily materials and objects to prove equations

and formulas. (For instance, devise a lesson of
geometry to find the formula of the volume of a cube,
by giving them real object of a cube and place
something inside)
 How to teach the students in
realistic math modelling?

Take the class outdoors to illustrate concepts

in their books. (For instance, bring our students
outside the classroom to measure the height of
a tree by using its shadow)

Start and end the lesson by reviewing the basic

terms of the lesson and relating it to the
equations and concepts with the activity.
Read more: How to Teach Students About Math in the Real World |
eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/how_7771004_teach-students-math-real-
world.html#ixzz1CMyiSOB9
 Issues of Real World
Mathematical Modelling in
Indonesian Context

• Lack of using real world materials

• Students are not interested in constructing
their own ideas
• Lack of evaluation of research (design
research) for realistic mathematics
 Suggestion
According to Mousoulides (n.d), in attempt to
provide a coherent framework for
mathematical modelling at school level is
organized into three strands:
• Situates a mathematical modelling as a problem
solving activity
• Discusses modelling activities, by presenting
the principles for designing and implementing
modelling activities in classroom
• Contextual nature and assessment of
mathematical modelling.
 Opportunities in Modelling
• Lead to the development of students'
application-oriented learning
• Help students to understand and to
cope with the real world
• Provide rich opportunities for students
to develop their ideas
• Help teachers to develop an
understanding of students’ thinking.
 Problems in Modelling
• Instruction and assessment (required a
lot of time)
• Students’ Point of View (math lessons
and examinations more demanding)
• Teachers’ Point of View (Teaching more
demanding)
(Blum, 1993)
 References
• Alsina, C.(2007). Less chalk, Less words, Less symbols, More objects, More Context, More
actions. Cited in Modelling and Applications in Mathematics Education: The 14th ICMI Study.
Springer. New York.
• Kaiser, G. Maab, K.(2007). Modelling in Lower Mathematics Classroom-Problems and
Opportunities. Cited in Modelling and Applications in Mathematics Education: The 14th ICMI
Study. Springer. New York.
• Galbraith, P. et al.(2007). Introduction. Cited in Modelling and Applications in Mathematics
Education: The 14th ICMI Study. Springer. New York.
• Pollak, H. (2007). Mathematical Modelling- A Conversation with Henry Pollak. Cited in
Modelling and Applications in Mathematics Education: The 14th ICMI Study. Springer. New
York.
• Blum, W. (1993). Mathematical modelling in mathematics education and instruction. Cited in
Teaching and learning mathematics in context, edited by Breiteig (etc.), 1993, Ellis Horwood
Limited Chichester. S. 3-14. Retrieved on 29th January 2011 in http://oai.bibliothek.uni-
kassel.de/bitstream/urn:nbn:de:hebis:34-2009051227366/1/BlumModelling1993.pdf
• Mousoulides, N.G. (n.d). Mathematical Modelling for Elementary and Secondary school
Teachers. [Online]. Retrieved on 4th February 2011 in
http://ucy.academia.edu/NicholasMousoulides/Papers/368696/Mathematical_Modeling_for
_Elementary_and_Secondary_School_Teachers
• Griffin .(2011). Ehow.com. How to Teach Students About Math in the Real World |
eHow.com . [Online}. Retrieved on 29th January 2011 in
http://www.ehow.com/how_7771004_teach-students-math-real-
world.html#ixzz1CMyiSOB9
• Turmudi, (n.d). Mengurangi Rasa Cemas Belajar Matematika Dengan Menampilkan
Matematika Eksploratif Untuk Merangsang Siswa Belajar. Retrieved on 29th January 2011 in
http://file.upi.edu/Direktori/D%20-
%20FPMIPA/JUR.%20PEND.%20MATEMATIKA/196101121987031%20-%20TURMUDI/F10-
Unisba.pdf