Conference paper
Mathematical beauty in service of deep approach to learning
Scientific Computing, Department of Applied Mathematics and Computer Science, Technical University of Denmark1
Department of Applied Mathematics and Computer Science, Technical University of Denmark2
Neutrons and X-rays for Materials Physics, Department of Physics, Technical University of Denmark3
Department of Physics, Technical University of Denmark4
In the fall of 2014 I taught ‘02601 Introduction to Numerical Algorithms’ to a class of 86 engineering students at Technical University of Denmark. The course employed basic calculus and linear algebra to elucidate and analyse canonical algorithms of scientific computing. A major part of the course was hands-on MATLAB programming, where the algorithms were tested and applied to solve physical modelbased problems.
To encourage a deep approach, and discourage a surface approach to learning, I introduced into the lectures a basic but rigorous mathematical treatment of crucial theoretical points, emphasising the beauty of the underlying mathematical structure. Into this I integrated frequent and activating dialogue with the students.
In section 1 I describe the course and the students in more detail. Section 2 details and justifies the pedagogical elements I introduced into the lectures; my central hypothesis is also given there. The results of the experiment are presented and discussed in section 3.
Language: | English |
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Year: | 2015 |
Proceedings: | 43rd Annual Conference of the European Society for Engineering Education (SEFI 2015)European Society for Engineering Education. Annual Conference proceedings |
Types: | Conference paper |
ORCIDs: | Karamehmedović, Mirza |