Mathematical competence and basic competences
in Science and Technology
1. Theoretical Part
There are lots of real uses of Mathematical competence and basic competences in
science and technology in our life. Today almost all businesses are based on those
skills. From early age children are familiar with numbers and as they get older they
realize that almost everything in their lives is connected to Mathematical
competence and basic competences in science and technology.
When someone goes shopping, calculations are needed.Even people who suffer
from math-related anxieties or phobias cannot escape from math everyday presence
in their lives. Math is everywhere,it exists from home, to school, to work and places
in-between. Whether using measurements in a recipe, or deciding if half a tank of
gas will make the destination, we all use math. It is a good, therefore, for reluctant
math learners to use real world examples to ignite a spark of practical interest. Math
is a part of our lives, wherever we go, whatever we do, we are using math daily
without even realizing it.
Some people aren't even out of bed before encountering Mathematical competence
in our life. The use of setting an alarm and hitting snooze, assumes this skill. Baking
and cooking requires some mathematical skill as well. Every ingredient has to be
measured so as to get the exact amount we need. Even gardening requires skills in
math in order to count the holes and the plants that have to be planted. If we think
deeper we will realize that almost everything is based on Mathematical competence
in our life: the house we live in, the decoration that we chose for our house, the
distance and the time that is needed for our work, our children’s programme in
school, bank transactions, travelling. Numbers and digits surround our lives every
minute.
Competence in science refers to the ability and willingness to use the body of
knowledge and methodology employed to explain the natural world, in order to
identify questions and to draw evidence-based conclusions. Competence in science
and technology involves an understanding of the changes caused by human activity
and responsibility as an individual citizen.
Also many jobs are related by their activities to science, environment protection,
social issues etc, where ideas developed by science are used into practice and
researches and scientific findings are integrated into those jobs.
1.1 Analysing Structure & Objectives of Key Skills
Mathematical competence is used in differentfacets in our lives. In sports, athletes
and fans have to record the time, to use statistics so as to calculate win-loss ratios.
We need to know numbers and how they work, and with today's technology we can
do almost everything by our mobile phone, from talking and faxing to surfing on the
Internet.
The use of math is also required in arts. Whether someone is a sculptor, a painter, a
dancer or even just doing a collage for fun, math is necessary to measure, count and
apply basic math to it. Summarizing we conclude that math is a skill that is so
essential to people and the absence of math- thinking means the presence of many
obstacles in people daily lives.
The competence of knowledge of science and technology involves interaction with
the natural environment and the natural world, and the ability to understand facts,
predict the consequences and the impact that they have on human health and
environmental sustainability.
It is the ability of people to interact with the physical world, both in its natural
aspects and those generated by human activity, so as to allow the understanding of
events, predict consequences and actions that lead to improvement and the
maintenance of conditions of life, of other people and other living beings. In short, it
is the competence that one has so that he can incorporate skills to deal
appropriately with autonomy and personal initiative in various spheres of life
(health, productive activities, consumption, science, technological processes, etc.)
and to interpret the world, applying concepts and principles that allow the analysis
of phenomena from different fields of scientific knowledge.
By obtaining those skills, one will have the opportunity to take an active and
responsible role in his daily life, in community and workplaces.
1.2 Strategy and procedure to acquire the competence
There are several ways so as to acquire skills on Mathematical competence and basic
competences in science and technology. We learn to count in early age using fingers,
fact that in some occasions enables people lacking in math skills. People lacking on
math skills and basic competences in science and technology could ask for assistance
and we can use all available resources, i. e notes from previous lessons, talk with
friends who have knowledge and are eager to help so as to find a solution to a
problem or that already know the process to solve it. Thus at school or during
lessons one can so as to improve his math skills :
 Ask for explanations for the implicit rules so as to make the complex
definitions understandable.
 Interrupt the course at regular intervals to make sure that he gets the
meaning of what is being discussed.
 Discuss the results of calculations to help understand and develop learning
skills.
 Take advantage of the time that teachers dedicate to students at school for
the personal improvement.
 Use pencil and paper, when studying. When someone writes down notes or
reading text from a book, it is a good idea to use a pencil and a clean sheet of
paper in which he can write his own ideas and evaluations. This will help to
get mathematical thinking.
 Use a calculator to check the results calculated.
Generally one should outline the objective that wishes to achieve whenever he starts
dealing with a new area of scientific interest, before analyzing the process step by
step.
1.3 Benefits
Benefits of having mathematical skill and basic competences in science and
technology are essential in the hectic pace of everyday life. We can separate the
benefits in the following different facets:
Science
Mathematical competence and basic competences in science and technology are
intimately connected to science, particularly in fields such as chemistry, astronomy
and physics. Students who can not master basic arithmetic skills will struggle to read
scientific charts and graphs. More complex math, such as geometry, algebra and
calculus, can help students solve chemistry problems, understand the movements of
the planets and analyze scientific studies. Math is also important in practical
sciences, such as engineering and computer science. Thus, students may have to
solve equations when writing programs.
Social studies
Social studies classes, such as history, often require students to review charts and
graphs that provide historical data or information on ethnic groups. In geography
classes, students might need to understandhow the elevation of an area affects its
population or chart the extent to which different populations have different average
life spans. Knowledge of basic mathematical terms and formulas in science and
technology make statistical information accessible.
Arts
People interested in pursuing careers in theater, music, dance or art can benefit
from basic mathematical knowledge. Musical rhythm often follows complex
mathematical series, and math can help people learn the basic rhythms of dances
used in ballet and theater performances. Art thrives on geometry, and people who
understand basic geometric formulas can craft impressive art pieces.
Poetry
Mastering basic arithmetic can enable people to better understand poetry. The
meter of poetry, the number of words to include in a line and the effect that certain
rhythms have on the reader are all products of mathematical calculations. At a more
mundane level, math can help people’s plan reading assignments in literature classes
by discerning their average reading time and estimating how long it will take them to
read a particular work.
At home
Doubling up on recipes is an easy way to “earn” time from weekly cooking schedule.
A slow cooker has to know how to use math in order to “handle” time. So it is
necessary to schedule time in the morning and start the meal. Thus all shopping
needs the existence of basic math skills. It's always best to stick with your grocery list
when shopping and avoid temptation to purchase impulse items. However, when it
comes to discount items, it's not always wise to pass up the purchase. If a particular
ingredient someone frequently uses is on sale, then he should grab the chance.
Academic subjects
Mathematical competence and basic competences in science and technology are
also relevant to a wide variety of academic subjects, which means that a student
who has no competence in this skill ends up struggling in other subjects.
Bank transactions
Banks, payments, bills and so many other transactions assume the existence of
Mathematical competence and basic competences in science and technology.
Work
The most important benefit by the existence of Mathematical competence and basic
competences in science and technology is mostly obvious at work. No business
transaction can take place without those skills.
2. Examples
2.1 Analysing structure and objectives of Key Skill
George is a young Greek who has just finished his studies at economics. He also has a
master degree in information systems and he attended the course in a foreign
country. He participates in the final phase of the selection process that conducts a
large multinational company so as to employtwoof them in the financial section.
He has previously worked during his practice in different sectors such as the
accounting, financial planning, marketing and sales. During his practice, he gained
practical knowledge on financial management, the marketing mix that is applied by
business and the production technology (although it is not relevant to his degree).
Literature
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http://europa.eu/legislation_summaries/education_training_youth/lifelong_learnin
g/c11090_en.htm
https://www.youthpass.eu/en/youthpass/for/youthinitiatives/learn/information/kcdigital/
http://everydaylife.globalpost.com/mathematics-used-other-subjects-10114.html
http://everydaylife.globalpost.com/use-mathematics-everyday-life-14225.html
http://www.mathworksheetscenter.com/mathtips/everydaymath.html
http://www.usnews.com/opinion/articles/2011/09/27/why-math-and-scienceeducation-means-more-jobs
https://student.societyforscience.org/topic/tech-math
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