The Thinking Styles of University Mathematics Students

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Bibliographic Details
Title: The Thinking Styles of University Mathematics Students
Language: English
Authors: Moutsios-Rentzos, Andreas, Simpson, Adrian
Source: Acta Didactica Napocensia. 2010 3(4):1-10.
Availability: Babes-Bolyai University. Kogainiceanu 1, Cluj-Napoca, 400084 Romania. e-mail: submit_adn@yahoo.com; Web site: http://adn.teaching.ro
Peer Reviewed: Y
Page Count: 10
Publication Date: 2010
Document Type: Journal Articles
Reports - Research
Education Level: Higher Education
Postsecondary Education
Descriptors: Mathematics Education, College Students, Cognitive Style, Statistical Analysis, Preferences, Critical Thinking, Intellectual Freedom, Cohort Analysis, Undergraduate Students, Graduate Students, Self Disclosure (Individuals), Student Surveys, Correlation, Foreign Countries
Geographic Terms: Greece
ISSN: 2065-1430
Abstract: In this paper, we focus on the relationship between studying university mathematics and the "thinking styles" of both undergraduate and postgraduate mathematics students. A cross-sectional quantitative study (N = 238) was conducted in a large Greek university, identifying the thinking styles of second, third and fourth year undergraduates, as well as those of students following a postgraduate degree in mathematics. The analysis revealed that the more experienced undergraduates and the postgraduates showed a stronger preference for originality and freedom in thinking, low degrees of structure, high levels of freedom and more complex information processing, combined with non-prioritised thinking. However, the postgraduates combine these preferences with a stronger preference for implementing rules and instructions. A discussion on these findings and on the factors that may account for them is presented.
Abstractor: As Provided
Number of References: 18
Entry Date: 2015
Accession Number: EJ1055869
Database: ERIC
Description
Abstract:In this paper, we focus on the relationship between studying university mathematics and the "thinking styles" of both undergraduate and postgraduate mathematics students. A cross-sectional quantitative study (N = 238) was conducted in a large Greek university, identifying the thinking styles of second, third and fourth year undergraduates, as well as those of students following a postgraduate degree in mathematics. The analysis revealed that the more experienced undergraduates and the postgraduates showed a stronger preference for originality and freedom in thinking, low degrees of structure, high levels of freedom and more complex information processing, combined with non-prioritised thinking. However, the postgraduates combine these preferences with a stronger preference for implementing rules and instructions. A discussion on these findings and on the factors that may account for them is presented.
ISSN:2065-1430