Peter L. Galbraith & Hans-Wolfgang Henn 
Modelling and Applications in Mathematics Education 
The 14th ICMI Study

Among the themes that have been central to mathematics education dur­ ing the last 30 years are those of mathematical modelling and applications of mathematics to extra-mathematical fields. More generally we refer to these as relations between mathematics and the extra-mathematical world (some­ times also called the ‘real world’) or preferably, according to Henry Po Uak, the ‘rest of the world’. That applications and modelling have been important themes in mathematics education can be inferred from the wealth of litera­ ture on these topics, including material generated from a multitude of na­ tional and international conferences. In particular let us mention firstly the ICMEs (the International Congresses on Mathematical Education), with their regular working or topic groups and lectures on applications and modelling; and secondly the series of ICTMAs (the International Conferences on the Teaching of Mathematical Modelling and Applications) which have been held biennially since 1983. Their Proceedings and Survey Lectures, have addressed the state-of-the-art at the relevant time, and contain many exam­ ples, studies, conceptual contributions and resources involving relations between the real world and mathematics, for all levels of the educational system. In curricula and textbooks we find today many more references to real world phenomena and problems than, say, twenty years ago.

Table of Content

Plenaries.- Less Chalk, Less Words, Less Symbols … More Objects, More Context, More Actions.- What’s all the Fuss about Competencies?.- A Theory of Mathematical Modelling in Technological Settings.- What Knowledge Do Teachers Need for Teaching Mathematics Through Applications and Modelling?.- Beyond the Low Hanging Fruit.- Modelling for Life: Mathematics and Children’s Experience.- Modelling in Lower Secondary Mathematics Classroom — Problems and Opportunities.- Mathematical Modelling — a Conversation with Henry Pollak.- Issues in Applications and Modelling.- Epistemology and Modelling — Overview.- Modelling Body Motion: an Approach to Functions Using Measuring Instruments.- Emergent Modelling as a Precursor to Mathematical Modelling.- Proving and Modelling.- A Developmental Approach for Supporting the Epistemology of Modeling.- What is Distinctive in (Our Views about) Models & Modelling Perspectives on Mathematics Problem Solving, Learning, and Teaching?.- Everyday Instruments: On the Use of Mathematics.- Authenticity and Goals — Overview.- How to Replace Word Problems with Activities of Realistic Mathematical Modelling.- The Relevance of Modelling and Applications: Relevant to Whom and for What Purpose?.- Features and Impact of the Authenticity of Applied Mathematical School Tasks.- Elementary Modelling in Mathematics Lessons: The Interplay Between “Real-World” Knowledge and “Mathematical Structures”.- Modelling Competencies — Overview.- Levels of Modelling Competencies.- Modelling Both Complexity and Abstraction: A Paradox?.- Studying and Remedying Students’ Modelling Competencies: Routine Behaviour or Adaptive Expertise.- Assessing the “Phases” of Mathematical Modelling.- The Arithmetic Operations as Mathematical Models.- Applicationsand Modelling for Mathematics — Overview.- The Roles of Modelling in Learning Mathematics.- Developing Mathematical Literacy.- Classroom Activities and the Teacher.- Uses of Technologies in Learning Mathematics through Modelling.- Modelling Pedagogy — Overview.- Mathematical Modelling in High School Mathematics: Teachers’ Thinking and Practice.- Mathematical Modelling in Teacher Education — Necessity or Unnecessarily.- Building Concepts and Conceptions in Technology-Based Open Learning Environments.- Towards a Wider Implementation of Mathematical Modelling at Upper Secondary and Tertiary Levels.- How Might we Share Models Through Cooperative Mathematical Modelling? Focus on Situations Based on Individual Experiences.- Implementation and Practice — Overview.- Some Conditions for Modelling to Exist in Mathematics Classrooms.- Picture (Im)Perfect Mathematics!.- Learning Mathematical Modelling — From the Perspective of Probability and Statistics Education.- Considering Workplace Activity from a Mathematical Modelling Perspective.- Assessment and Evaluation – Overview.- Modelling Based Project Examination.- Mathematical Modelling and Applications: Ability and Competence Frameworks.- “To Model, or to Let Them Model?” That is the Question!.- Modelling and Applications in Pisa.- Assessment of Applied Mathematics and Modelling: Using a Laboratory-Like Environment.- Educational Levels.- Modelling and Applications in Primary Education.- Possibilities for, and Obstacles to Teaching Applications and Modelling in the Lower Secondary Levels.- Upper Secondary Perspectives on Applications and Modelling.- Teaching Applications and Modelling at Tertiary Level.- Modelling in Teacher Education.- Cases in Applications and Modelling.- Moving the Context of Modelling to the Forefront: Preservice Teachers’ Investigations of Equity in Testing.- Modelling in Ontario: Success in Moving Along the Continuum.- Implementation Case Study: Sustaining Curriculum Change.- Mathematical Modelling of Social Issues in School Mathematics in South Africa.