Learning of the quadratic function: an experience with mathematical modeling in Youth and Adult Education Program

Abstract

This paper describes the partial results of a research project (Silva, 2018), at the Master’s level, in which the contributions of an activity about quadratic functions are reported, through mathematical modeling, proposed to an adult education class. In this activity a mathematical model is proposed to describe the horizontal launching of an object from an aircraft in flight to contribute to meaningful learning of the students. To perform the activity, mathematical modeling phases were used according to Almeida (2013) as well as the application of concept maps to verify meaningful learning signs, according to Moreira (2010). The data collection was performed through questions about quadratic functions and concept maps produced by the students. Through the analysis of student productions, evidences of meaningful learning could be observed among these high school students from the adult education program.