Date of Award

5-2021

Degree Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Honors Thesis

Department

Middle/Secondary Education (5-12)

First Advisor

Ryan Flessner

Abstract

The question posed to conduct this research was:

How do teachers incorporate real world problems into geometry classrooms?

There is no single answer to this question, but there are many answers. The research done in this literature review not only answers this question but also the question of why. The research reviewed was organized into the sections of Inquiry, Student Engagement, and Mathematical Understanding. Teachers can incorporate the real world into mathematics classrooms through inquiry, problem-based learning, and every day real world objects. Teachers should do this because it increases student engagement and leads students to higher mathematical understandings. Not only does incorporating the real world into the classroom do all of these things for students, it does so much more. It can allow students to see mathematical connections to themselves, their interests, and the world around them. It can allow students to grow in skills such as communication with others, investigation, mathematical modeling, and the love of learning. There is not doubt that incorporating real world problems into any mathematical classroom will increase students’ engagement and understanding. It is time to use inquiry based teaching methods in addition to traditional methods for the benefit of the future generations.

Included in

Education Commons

Share

COinS