A problem of surveying for teaching trigonometry students from Civil Engineering

Abstract

This article describes a classroom investigation is addressed in Geometry and Trigonometry course with freshmen of Civil Engineering, Universidad Pontificia Bolivariana, Bucaramanga (Colombia). This research includes the design, implementation and evaluation of a teaching strategy. The strategy is framed in solving problems from the perspective of technical troubleshooting George Polya meaningful learning of David Ausubel. The problem formulated students is part of the applications that have historically been associated with surveying. It is a mixed methods research, combining quantitative method to validate the implementation of the strategy through the comparison of the results obtained in a letter written by two groups (experimental and control) test; the qualitative method, through observations of the teacher-researcher to the experimental group in the implementation of the strategy. In the experimental group was observed that changed their habits, reflected in a greater organization of time, more skill in making observed notes, more attention and concentration in class, among others; and greater performance in the test, specifically in solving problems.

Key Words:
Surveying, meaningful learning, Trigonometry, Civil Engineering, solving problems.