Novikova A. Formation of skills of mathematical modelling in pupils of basic school in the process of teaching algebra

The dissertation is dedicated to the problem of formation of skills of mathematical modelling in pupils of basic school in the process of teaching algebra. Scientific-pedagogical researches which deal with applied nature of mathematics course are analyzed, the essence of the notion «applied nature of the course of mathematics» and «applied nature of the school course of algebra» has been specified, theoretically grounded and experimentally verified methods of formation of mathematical modelling skills in pupils of basic school have been suggested. It has been found out that «applied nature of the school course of algebra» is meaningful orientation of content, purpose, methods, organization forms, and means of teaching mathematics on: formation of methodological and essential relations of algebra course with practice; formation in pupils of mathematical skills which are necessary for real life and future professional activity. There have been singled out the method of realization of applied nature of the school course of algebra (mathematical modelling, studying projects, practical works, training practice), but the main method is considered to be the method of mathematical modelling. Accordingly, the means of realization of applied nature of the school course of algebra is the system of applied problems. The requirements to the applied problems system have been offered: content validity, correspondence to didactic aims, differentiating realization, sequence with a certain mathematical model; existence of content; fullness of data. The model of formation of the mathematical modelling skill in pupils of basic school has been worked out. This model includes goal-oriented, content-related, activity approach, controlling components. The effectiveness of the suggested methodology of mathematical modelling skill formation has been verified during forming experiment. The results of the research make it possible to claim that the elaborated methodology of mathematical modelling skill in pupils of basic school facilitates: development of perceptual interest; raising of pupils’ motivation to learning mathematics, deepening of knowledge, mastering the algorithm of mathematical modelling usage for solving applied tasks.