The role of new technologies to support the teaching and the learning of mathematics
by Nicoletta Sala
International Journal of Continuing Engineering Education and Life-Long Learning (IJCEELL), Vol. 13, No. 3/4, 2003

Abstract: New technologies and the internet have contributed to the modification of teaching methods. This paper describes an educational project to redefine the contents of some undergraduate courses in mathematics, with a high integration of new technologies, at the Academy of Architecture of Mendrisio (University of Italian Switzerland). In particular, an innovative approach in the course ''Mathematical Thought'' will be explained, where new media are used for dealing with some mathematical concepts with philosophic, artistic and architectural connections (for example, the groups of symmetry, the golden section, the Fibonacci's sequence, and fractal geometry). The contents of mathematics are redefined in this paper for the specific course of architecture. It is a new approach with a strong collaboration with other courses (for example, architectural design, technology, ecology). By utilising this approach, the author proposed that the use of new media would enhance the teaching methods. By incorporating particular lecture arrangements, it is possible to integrate different media (for example, scientific documentaries, hypertext, hypermedia, animations, virtual reality). It has been observed that new media can introduce more interaction than the traditional teaching approach and they can help to realise an incisive lesson.

Online publication date: Mon, 10-May-2004

The full text of this article is only available to individual subscribers or to users at subscribing institutions.

 
Existing subscribers:
Go to Inderscience Online Journals to access the Full Text of this article.

Pay per view:
If you are not a subscriber and you just want to read the full contents of this article, buy online access here.

Complimentary Subscribers, Editors or Members of the Editorial Board of the International Journal of Continuing Engineering Education and Life-Long Learning (IJCEELL):
Login with your Inderscience username and password:

Username:        Password:          Forgotten your password?

Want to subscribe?
A subscription gives you complete access to all articles in the current issue, as well as to all articles in the previous three years (where applicable). See our Orders page to subscribe.

If you still need assistance, please email subs@inderscience.com