Interdisciplinary Research Projects

Our main research projects have a strong interdisciplinary focus. For example, we wer significantly involved in the DFG Graduate College Teaching Processes, in which working groups form subject didactics, psychology, and pedagogics collaborated closely. The same applies to the MoSAiK  and WeLT  projects, among others.

Math Lab "Math is More

The contribution of the working group to this research cluster is the empirical investigation of learning processes of students working in the working group's own mathematics laboratory for students. In particular, mathematical conceptualization, the interaction of representational models and computer simulations in the cognitive process, representational competence and mathematical terminology are central research perspectives. Within the framework of the collaborative projects Schülerlabore als Lehr-Lern-Labore (Student Laboratories as Teaching-Learning Laboratories) and Die Zukunft des MINT-Lernens (The Future of STEM Learning), which are funded by the Deutsche Telekom Foundation and in which the working group is also the subproject leader and site spokesperson, empirical studies are being conducted to determine the effect that the involvement of student teachers in the design, implementation and research of student laboratory learning environments has on their professional competence development.

Research in Higher Education Didactics

The working group also conducts research on university didactics. For example, the video tool ViviAn  is being (further) developed in several third-party funded research projects. It both serves as a measuring instrument for the assessment of process diagnostic competence, as well as being used as a learning environment based on video vignettes to promote diagnostic competence and the ability to adapt teaching actions in student teachers. In empirical comparative studies, we evaluate to what extent process diagnostic competence of student teachers can actually be (further) developed during their studies.

Promotion of Young Scientists

Young researchers were not only supported by the participation of the working group in the DFG-Graduiertenkolleg Unterrichtsprozesse and the Graduiertenakademie Bildung-Mensch-Umwelt, but also, among other things, by the organization of its own doctoral seminar, the Oberseminar Südwest, which the working group organizes twice a year in cooperation with working groups from six universities in southwestern Germany and holds once a year in Landau. In addition, there are bilateral doctoral rounds such as that of the working group with subject didactic working groups of the University of Giessen (GiLa) which take place twice a year and are held once a year in Landau. In addition, there is the DdM research workshop, a weekly doctoral colloquium of the two subject didactic working groups of the Institute of Mathematics. Furthermore, the doctoral students are regularly encouraged to participate in summer schools and doctoral seminars, such as those organized by the Society for Didactics of Mathematics.

Projects of the PhD students of the working group

Interlocking of Training Components

The teaching of the working group is characterized by an intensive interlocking of the subject-specific, subject-didactic and practice-related training components in the teacher training courses. This is achieved in particular through the integration of the mathematics laboratory "Math is more" into the teaching, but also through close networking with the study seminars and the colleagues at the schools of all types of secondary schools in the region.

Quality Development

The quality of the courses is systematically evaluated and further developed under the leadership of the working group in a lively exchange with the students of the student council, via large-scale surveys among students and in plenary meetings with all lecturers and students of mathematics. For this purpose, further training courses on the design of courses are held with external speakers within the Institute of Mathematics.

Covered Content Areas

The working group is responsible for the mathematics didactics components (modules 1, 5a, 5c, 12, 12b) and individual modules (modules 1, 4b, MZFB 1, MZFBW 1) of the subject-specific mathematics components in the bachelor's and master's degree programs for teachers at elementary schools, special education schools, Realschulen plus and Gymnasien as well as the two-subject bachelor's degree with the basic subject mathematics or the elective subject mathematics.

Networking

The Mathematics Education (Secondary Education) working group not only cooperates closely with all working groups of the Institute of Mathematics scientifically and in teaching, it is also networked in research with working groups of other institutes and departments of the university and far beyond. In addition, it offers a service to schools in the Landau region with its mathematics laboratory "Math is more", where entire school classes can conduct research on curriculum topics at the university. An annual Mathematics Day with competitions for high-achieving students is also supported and organized by the Institute of Mathematics under the leadership of the working group.

Teachers/Training

In addition, the working group networks with the study seminars in the region and offers them its own training events, such as the GeoGebra Day for Study Seminars. The working group also organizes RLP-wide training series for moderators, e.g. the project HeMaS (dealing constructively with heterogeneity in mathematics teaching at secondary level I). In addition, training materials and training courses are developed and implemented in regular working groups with small teams of teachers (e.g. AK MSS, AK Mathematik digital, AK GeoGebra). The working group also provided the state coordinator for RLP of the German Center for Teacher Education in Mathematics (DZLM) for many years. Through these and many other activities, the working group has an impact on the region and works together with the region.