Matemática para engenharia : unidades de ensino potencialmente significativas para superar lacunas em matemática básica

Abstract

This work presents the elaboration, the application and the evaluation of a potentially meaningful teaching unit in a Pre-Calculus course of engineering courses, aiming at the occurrence of a meaningful learning of concepts related to mathematical functions. The choice of the "first degree function", "exponential function" and "logarithmic function" contents in this teaching unit is primarily due to the fact that the concept of function is one of the fundamental concepts of mathematics, given its many applications in Engineering. In this context, it is the starting point for the construction of the derivative and integral concepts, which are the basis of Differential and Integral Calculus. In addition, difficulties in relation to the functions discussed here have been significant, also, in other Engineering courses, which motivated the choice for this research work. The research was carried out through a qualitative approach; of applied nature; descriptive in relation to the objectives; participant, regarding the procedures. The teaching unit was organized in eight steps with specific activities for each type of function. The results analysis of the application of the proposal was done through instruments of initial and final evaluation, besides the construction of conceptual maps. The research was carried out based on the Ausubel’s Theory of Meaningful Learning, with the analysis of the conceptual maps based on an adaptation of the Topological Taxonomy of Novak and Cañas, and the results pointed out that the adopted methodology is a methodological strategy with potential to promote meaningful learning, reduce evasion and increase retention rates in the context of engineering education.