The power of mathematics education in the 18th century

In the Dutch Republic in the 18th century mathematics was considered very important for many professions. However there were hardly any national or regional educational institutes which provided mathematics education. Three orphanages in different towns received a large inheritance under condition that they provided education for technical and artistic professions. The Foundations which were established had a curriculum in which mathematics was the main subject. The influence of several curriculum components and some external curriculum factors are recognisable in documents and archival data. This is illustrated by the history of one student

Eighteenth century land surveying as a context for learning similar triangles and measurement

In our study, we investigated the value and applicability of the history of mathematics as a didactical tool for teaching mathematics. Recent literature has disclosed conceptual, cultural, and motivational arguments for including historical mathematical texts and methods in the mathematics curriculum. We explored how these theoretical assumptions worked out when designing historically-based instructional material and when using this material for teaching. The focus was on teaching measurement skills and the application of similar triangles to eight- and ninth-grade students. The profession of the Dutch land surveyor in the 18th century served as a historical context. Analyses of the data indicated that several aspects of this historical context were helpful for teaching these subjects. The practical activities along the 18th century lines appeared to have a positive effect on the students’ motivation and on their conceptual understanding. The ninth-graders reacted more positively to the historically inspired text than the eighth-graders. The integration of historical elements, especially the need to read the old language, was generally not applauded, nor did we observe a positive cognitive effect. Even so, the practical activities inspired by the context appeared significantly effective and were judged positively by the students

Reflecting on the value of mathematics in an interdisciplinary STEM course

Rationales for interdisciplinary STEM courses are often based on the fact that the problems we face in today’s world call for perspectives and knowledge from many different areas. In many cases this includes mathematics because it is used in many research fields and because it is part of everyday life. At the same time interdisciplinary literature suggests that mathematics gains the least from integration. In this paper we use a successful interdisciplinary STEM course in the Netherlands to illustrate how students and teachers think about the value of mathematics. To analyse teacher and student statements concerning the value of mathematics a model is introduced for a disciplinary mathematics perspective for interdisciplinary STEM courses and the opportunities this model ca provide are discussed

Reflecting on the value of mathematics in an interdisciplinary STEM course

Rationales for interdisciplinary STEM courses are often based on the fact that the problems we face in today’s world call for perspectives and knowledge from many different areas. In many cases this includes mathematics because it is used in many research fields and because it is part of everyday life. At the same time interdisciplinary literature suggests that mathematics gains the least from integration. In this paper we use a successful interdisciplinary STEM course in the Netherlands to illustrate how students and teachers think about the value of mathematics. To analyse teacher and student statements concerning the value of mathematics a model is introduced for a disciplinary mathematics perspective for interdisciplinary STEM courses and the opportunities this model ca provide are discussed

Guiding conservation efforts in the Hantam–Tanqua–Roggeveld (South Africa) using diversity parameters

The Hantam–Tanqua–Roggeveld subregion falls within the Succulent Karoo and Fynbos Biomes, which are both recognised as global biodiversity hotspots that should be conserved. The objective of this study was to gather baseline biodiversity information that can be used to guide conservation efforts. A total of 40 Whittaker plots were surveyed in the subregion and the various diversity parameters calculated from the data were compared across the subregion and to available data for the Succulent Karoo and Fynbos Biomes. Species richness per 1000 m2 ranged from nine to 100 species across the subregion. Species richness for all plot sizes < 1000 m2 was significantly lower for the Tanqua Karoo than for both the Winter Rainfall Karoo and Mountain Renosterveld. The latter two areas did not differ significantly from each other with regard to species richness. Species richness was significantly higher only at the 1000 m2 scale in the Mountain Renosterveld compared to the Winter Rainfall Karoo. Evenness and Shannon and Simpson indices did not differ significantly between the Mountain Renosterveld and Winter Rainfall Karoo; however, these values were significantly higher than for the Tanqua Karoo. A principal coordinate analysis of species richness data at seven plot sizes produced three distinct clusters. One cluster represented the Tanqua Karoo, with low species richness, evenness, and Shannon and Simpson indices. Another cluster represented mostly Mountain Renosterveld vegetation, which was characterised by a high species richness, evenness, and Shannon and Simpson indices. The third cluster was formed by the remaining Mountain Renosterveld plots as well as the Winter Rainfall Karoo plots. The high species richness values found in the various vegetation units can add valuable information to the conservation planning arena by providing information on biodiversity parameters and their spatial distribution. This information can assist with conservation efforts in the Hantam, Tanqua and Roggeveld areas. Conservation implications: Conservation and development of the Hantam–Tanqua– Roggeveld subregion is hampered by a lack of information on floristic diversity. The results of the current study indicated areas of low diversity and contrasting areas of high diversity. These data can be used to guide effective conservation and management of the floristic diversity