Research by Dr. Steven Jones Published in Journal of Mathematical Behavior
The Journal of Mathematical Behavior published an article by BYU Mathematics Education Assistant Professor Steven Jones, PhD, in March 2017. “An Exploratory Study on Student Understandings of Derivatives in Real-World, Non-Kinematics Contexts” examines how students take the concepts they learn in their math classes, and apply them to coursework in areas of study outside of pure mathematics. In particular, Jones examined how students worked with, interpreted, and reasoned about calculus derivatives inside various physics and engineering contexts. He examined the additional complexities that exist in understanding the derivative in these kinds of contexts, such as knowing how to work with “non-time” independent variables. While students were typically capable of calculating these derivatives, they did not always know how to make sense of what they meant. “The vast majority of students…
