Teaching Mathematics in Twenty–First Century: An Integrated Approach

• Published in: Lecture notes in engineering and computer science Vol. 2229/2230; p. 117
• Main Author: Dass, Chanchal
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Hong Kong International Association of Engineers 05.07.2017
• Subjects: Integrated approach; Kepler laws; Mathematical analysis; Mathematics; Organic chemistry; Parametric equations; Physics; Rectum; Science education; Students; Teaching methods
• ISSN: 2078-0958; 2078-0966

Teaching mathematics, physics, chemistry remained a challenge for centuries. It has become more challenging in the twenty-first century due to rapid advancement of technologies. With the rapid advancement of technologies, mathematics, physics and other science subjects are developing at an accelerated rate. Day by day new topics are being added and the old topics are getting facelift. But the teaching methodology of these subjects remained stagnant for centuries. This is creating a huge gap between the required skill and the actual skill of students. Majority of the students struggling to keep pace with the new developments. One of the main problems in the present technique of teaching science is that it teaches mathematics, physics, chemistry, etc., in isolation. Students learn many topics in isolation. I have developed an integrated teaching technique which teaches science in an integrated way. The new teaching methodology is based on the philosophy that “I listen-I forget, I see-I remember, I do-I understand”. The objective is to teach mathematics and science in an easy and enjoyable way within a short period of time. In this paper, an attempt has been made to demonstrate the conic section in mathematics with the parametric equations clubbed with Kepler’s Law of planetary motion of physics with the use of MS Excel to model and demonstrate related topics. Here the topic starts with the definition of conic section, then demonstration of ellipses with different construction methods, like compression method, major and minor axis method, latus rectum methods, etc, and then explain Kepler’s law with the help of new knowledge. Later the ellipse theory is used to explain other conic sections. The intergradations of theory and practical helps in better understanding of the subject.