Coordination between High School and University Teachers in Spain to Reduce Mistakes in Calculus

Abstract

In level tests carried out in recent years to evaluate the competence acquired by calculus students enrolled in the Computer Software Engineering degree at the University of Oviedo, it has been observed that a significant percentage of students make very similar conceptual errors. This article describes the research undertaken by a working group of teachers called BACUNIMAT, currently made up of two university professors and five high school professors. The name BACUNIMAT is the acronym in Spanish for the High School and University Teachers Working Group. The aim of this research group was to analyze the main deficiencies in mathematical knowledge that students possess upon arrival at university. The analysis was performed in order to propose solutions to alleviate these deficiencies. The research proposes how to focus mathematical teaching in secondary schools in order to better prepare students for university.

Keywords

• mathematical education
• engineering education
• mathematical errors
• secondary school mathematics
• undergraduate mathematics