Let's travel? - an experience in Differential and Integral Calculus with Engineering students

• Autor(a) principal: Lopes, Aldo Peres Campos
• Data de Publicação: 2019
• Outros Autores: Reis, Frederico da Silva
• Tipo de documento: Artigo
• Idioma: por
• Título da fonte: Revista de Educação Matemática (Online)
• Texto Completo: https://www.revistasbemsp.com.br/index.php/REMat-SP/article/view/298
• topic: Problem-Based Learning; ABP; Calculus; Engineering course; Teaching Calculus; Aprendizaje Basado en Problemas; Curso de Ingeniería; Enseñanza del Cálculo; Aprendizagem Baseada em Problemas; Ensino de Cálculo; Cursos de Engenharia

For many students, the discipline of Differential and Integral Calculus is abstract, difficult, with many mathematical symbolsand boring. This discipline has been responsible for high rates of disapproval and school dropout. Thus, it is important to reflect on the teaching and learning of notions of Calculus, something that was done here and specifically involved applications of derivatives. One possible approach to this discipline is through the Problem-Based Learning (PBL) an active learning methodology. However, there is little research involving this methodology and the discipline of Differential and Integral Calculus. We apply the PBL in engineering classes. The problems chosen involved optimization and derivative applications. We found out that the use of PBL has positive aspects such as increased attention and interest on the part of the students, significant interaction with colleagues, and increased awareness of the need for study and research to solve a real problem. Some unusual situations have occurred, such as solving the problem in a different way than expected, difficulties related to understanding the problem, confusion and errors in the use of previous contents. There was a greater motivation and engagement of most students over a traditional class, and although they presented difficulties, they were able to associate theory with practice. Through the insertion of motivating problems, certain obstacles noted in the teaching and learning of Calculus can be attenuated.