Teaching Mathematical Modelling National Network

Project

Matti Heiliö, LUTRobert Piché and Seppo

PohjolainenInstitute of Mathematics,

TUT

Piché, Finnish Network for teaching MM, slide   2

National virtual university network

•a pilot project of Finnish Virtual University

•course methods and contents

•IT tools

•student and expert comments

•conclusions, future directions

Piché, Finnish Network for teaching MM, slide   3

The Finnish Virtual University

Started in 2001 by ministry of educationGoals:• improve networking between universities• develop pedagogical skills• support innovative uses of ICT in education• make VU an attractive alternative

Piché, Finnish Network for teaching MM, slide   4

Good choice as a national pilot project

•modelling skills useful to industry & science

•curriculum not established

•experts & students scattered

•emphasis on independent study and communication

Piché, Finnish Network for teaching MM, slide   5

Brings together teachers and students across the country

Participating institutions:Tampere University of

TechnologyHelsinki University of

TechnologyLappeenranta Univ of

TechnologyUniversity of HelsinkiUniversity of JoensuuUniversity of Jyväskylä University of KuopioUniversity of OuluUniversity of TampereCentre for Scientific

Computing

Piché, Finnish Network for teaching MM, slide   6

Course structure

•60-70 students and 9 teachers

•A&O: sign-up, schedule, links, uploads, discussion

•videoconferenced opening lecture

•local tutor & tech support

•streaming video lectures, synchronised slides

•weekly assignments, student comments

•project, videoconference presentation

Piché, Finnish Network for teaching MM, slide   7

Accessible anytime, anywhere

Piché, Finnish Network for teaching MM, slide   8

Project themes are open-ended

Design the flow control for a fountain in a windy square

Predict the population of Finland in 2100

Does toast tend to fall buttered side down?

Are fingerprints unique?

Piché, Finnish Network for teaching MM, slide   9

Courses cover a range of topics

Introduction to MMmathematics applications the modelling processnumerical software continuum modelsdifferential equations dimensional analysis discrete models fitting data probabilistic models decision analysis

Modelling with PDEsfields, flows and waves FEM for multiphysics tractor cabin acousticsmelting and solidificationsilicon crystal growthimpedance tomography

Modern Data Analysisfuzzy & multivalued logicneural networksgenetic algorithmsdata miningdecision analysis

Statistical ModellingMCMC for process parameter estimationstatistical methods for pattern recognitionmixed models for forest harvester operationmultivariate regression and DOE for process optimization.

Modelling RandomnessBrownian motion in finance and communicationsstochastic diff eqnstime series analysisinverse problemsfiltering

Modelling visual motionHow to reconstruct motion and shape from a video sequence: feature extraction, optical flow and visual velocity field, projecting 3d rigid body motion onto image sequence, statistical calibration.

Methods for Continuum Modellinglinearisation, asymptotics, regularisation, model fitting, model based optimization and control

Piché, Finnish Network for teaching MM, slide   10

Student feedback generally positive

Would you like to take asimilar course again?

Would you recommend this course to a friend?

How many lectures did you watch?

How many hours did you work?

*

Were technical problemsa significant obstacle?

Overall grade?

Piché, Finnish Network for teaching MM, slide   11

Pedagogical experts’ evaluation

Term projects support meaningful learning• contexts are novel & authentic• students are active• collaboration• structure & apply theory• oral presentation & comments

Good technical implementation • A&O learning environment simple to use, good

visual layout, easy navigation, schedule• use of widely supported file types (HTML, PDF)• local tutors & tech support• in video lectures, the lecturers’ train of thought

was supported rhythmically with motion and articulation

Piché, Finnish Network for teaching MM, slide   12

Cooperation of teachers & practitioners in math modelling

•steering committee meets 4-5 times/year

•Finnish students to ECMI Modelling Week

•Study Groups in Tampere ‘02, Helsinki ‘04

•graduate school proposal

•EU project application

Piché, Finnish Network for teaching MM, slide   13

What next?

Courses are now integrated into the standard curriculum at 7 universities

Textbook projectInternational network

alpha.cc.tut.fi/mallinnus/

seppo.pohjolainen@tut.firobert.piche@tut.fimatti.heilio@lut.fi