THE DEVELOPMENT OF MATHEMATICAL MODELING ACTIVITIES IN GROUPS

PERCEPTIONS OF BASIC EDUCATION STUDENTS

Abstract

This article aims at presenting and understanding views of Basic Education students in relation to group work throughout the development of a Mathematical Modeling activity. To achieve it, we based ourselves on a qualitative approach and used data from interviews carried out with them, after the completion of that activity. At the time of the research, these students were attending the 6th and 9th grades of Elementary School. Data analysis shows that dialogue and collaboration, elements considered important in Modeling activities, are present when activities are developed in groups. In addition, they pointed out conversations about subjects not relevant to the topic and the transfer of information between students as obstacles. For us, this is related to the absence of activities developed in groups in math classes, as well as the class paradigm to which these students are used.