Didactic Innovation in Mathematics Using Technologies

Abstract

The continuous progress of society requires all the actors to be dynamic and constantly updated, both in terms of monitoring as well as in the need to adapt. Regarding education, no matter how updated we are in relation to the contents, didactic strategies, and technological resources, we are still inevitably forced to adapt to new paradigms, leading us to reformulate traditional teaching methods. In this context, the contribution of e-learning platforms emerges, where teachers and students have at their disposal new means of empowering the teaching and learning process, since these platforms can be defined as a virtual teaching support environment. Currently, our students, in general, have many difficulties in problem-solving and mathematical reasoning, which often reflects in the performance of very simple tasks, with a growing disinterest towards Mathematics. It is also possible to argue that our students' "poor preparation" is a contributing factor in their failure (many did not attend Mathematics in Secondary Education and/or have not studied for several years, as is the case of those who entered through special contingents, as the “aged 23 and over”). In order to promote a distinct, alternative and supportive pathway that may help to solve this issue, a project on the Moodle learning management system (LMS) platform has been developed with the goal of assisting students in their study and the development of their skills in a way that is directly related to the curricular units (CU) in the scientific field of Mathematics, in an online learning environment. To increase students’ engagement into their learning process in a collaborative environment, a flipped model was employed into a Financial Mathematics/Financial Calculus Course (FCC). This paper's primary goal is to examine the effects of implementing the flipped classroom paradigm on students' performance, learning, and classroom instruction. The results from employing this approach have indicated a beneficial effect on the overall academic progress of students.