We repeat the material that was learnt for the school leaving exams and the basic maths knowledge at school.
The MatheFit course which TU Graz offers to first semester students two weeks before the beginning of the winter semester is very popular. Some 320 interested persons have registered in the run-up – even though there’s no obligatory course registration, no homework to be graded and no final exam. The course is for former school pupils to refresh their maths skills after their school leaving exam, immerse themselves anew in the material, and bring their knowledge up to the same level so that they can get off to a good start in the semester. “We repeat the material that was learnt for the school leaving exams and the basic maths knowledge at school. Differences in maths teaching at schools will be a bit evened out,” explains the lecturer.Mathematics as lifelong companion
The target groups of the MatheFit course are prospective students who will have to perform calculations extensively in their studies and later in their professional daily lives. It’s not for nothing that many fields of studies offer their own tailored mathematics courses. Apart from basic maths skills, he wants to give his course participants something else: “First and foremost students have to learn to ask as many questions as possible. This is indispensable for studying and completely different to school.” He also expects later mathematicians in his course: “In mathematics we try to avoid calculations as best as possible – we concentrate much more on logic and proofs – nevertheless these ‘manual’ skills are important and required knowledge for our students,” he clarifies, smiling.
Gymnastics in the lecture hall
Lehner stands right at the front of lecture hall in front of two big green boards which he will soon fill with formula upon formula, calculation upon calculation, and algorithm upon algorithm, and watches how the rows of seats slowly fill up.
“Entry-phase lectures are the hardest of all for teaching staff. You always have to be careful not to be too fast but still interesting,” he explains. What were his own student days like? “We spent a large part of our free time on the exercises during the first two semesters. That’ll be the case for all technology students who take their studies seriously,” Lehner exclaims. What would he like schools to do? “Hold back on electronic aids in mathematics teaching. Mathematics has to take place in the mind, and pencil and paper is the best support.”
Mathematics has to take place in the mind, and pencil and paper is the best support.
A few moments later he starts writing figures and calculations on the boards with white chalk. “Gymnastics with numbers,” he calls it. And soon the first hands shoot up into the air and questions are heard from the auditorium. Mathematics is fun, and questions are, too.
