engleski

Graphical representations of data and their (mis)uses

It is a common fact that (not only) students have various problems with correct usage of diagrams representing data relationships. As such diagrams are intensively used in all the sciences, this is a serious issue. Similarly to other aspects of mathematics that are of wide usage in the sciences, many students tend to separate the abstract graphs they meet in the mathematical class from the concrete ones in chemistry, physics and other sciences. Students are often able to perform all the necessary mathematical operations in constructing or interpreting (in a mathematical sense) graphs, but not to apply what they have learned about graphs in concrete cases. Although essential skills (usage of the Cartesian coordinate system, basic graphs and other diagrams) are developed already in primary school, studies confirm that most secondary pupils are weak in the ability to interpret global graphical features so as to extract information about many everyday and scientific situations. Our workshop will give an opportunity to explore various types of graphical data representations, with emphasis on the correct labelling of axes and correct representation of data, interpretation of graphs and diagrams, comparison of two or more graphs given in the same diagram, graphs of elementary functions, and their transformations. We shall also address several common mistakes and misconceptions. The chief objective of the workshop is to help lessen the gap between teaching of mathematics and teaching of chemistry (and other sciences), with respect to usage and interpretations of graphical representations of data relationships.

relationships between variables ; students' misconceptions in using graphs ; interpretation of graphs and diagrams ; graphs of physical and chemical relationships

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