Investigation And Research On The Present Situation Of Mathematical Modeling Ability Of High School Students

With the reform of education,the high school mathematics curriculum has undergone great changes.The ideology of mathematical modeling has been infiltrated into the standards of mathematics curriculum in high school which indicates that the development of ability in mathematical modeling is a step-by-step process along with the understanding and application of mathematics.Based on the new mathematics curriculum objectives of high school students;it is reasonable to promote the comprehensive development of a high-school student by improving their mathematical modeling ability.However,the current education of mathematical modeling in high school is still in its infancy and not as expected.Based on this consideration,this research reveals both the current situation and the influencing factors of mathematical modeling ability of students in two high schools in Jinchang;and proposes the problems in the strategies for mathematical modeling ability of high school students.This research adopts a systematic methodology(i.e.,literature analysis,questionnaire survey,test survey method,and interview)to investigate the current situation of mathematical modeling ability in two high schools in Jinchang.First,the relevant data on mathematical modeling ability at domestic and abroad was screened,organized,analyzed,and studied.Second,based on the actual situation in the local area,a "Questionnaire and Test Paper on Mathematical Modeling Ability of Senior High School Students" was designed and compiled according to five ability dimensions(i.e.,mathematical reading comprehension,abstraction and generalization,problem representation,calculation and evaluation,and feedback evaluation).Third,a survey of600 students in these two different levels of high school was conducted;the obtained data were analyzed using SPSS software and statistics in different dimensions were summarized.For a better understanding of the situation,some students and teachers of the two schools were further followed up and interviewed.Fourth,the influencing factors of mathematical modeling ability of high school students were found out according to the survey results.Finally,the shortcomings of mathematical modeling ability of senior high school students are found out,and several strategies for cultivating the mathematical modeling ability of high school students are proposed according to the research and analysis.Through the investigation and analysis of the current situation,this studyconcludes that:(1)The mathematical modeling of students still needs improvement,in particular,the modeling ability of Y High School(a provincial demonstrative high school)in Jinchang is higher than that of S high school(a general high school)at different levels,especially differentiated in mathematical modeling,reading comprehension ability,abstract generalization ability,representation ability,and computational ability;(2)Boys have higher mathematical modeling ability than girls;(3)Science students possess higher modeling ability than liberal arts students;(4)Grade-three students have higher modeling ability than grade-two and grade-one students.These static differences are reflected in all dimensions.Based on the survey conclusions and interview results,and combining diverse effect factors(e.g.,student,teacher,and school),this study proposes six strategies to improve the mathematical modeling ability of high school students:(1)Optimizing the allocation school mathematical modeling resources;(2)Improving the comprehensive ability of teachers in mathematical modeling;(3)Focusing on the cultivation of the mathematical modeling ability of students;(4)Promoting the deep integration of mathematical modeling teaching and information technology;(5)Including mathematics modeling-related issues in their exam propositions;(6)Improving the evaluation system of mathematical modeling in high school.