APPLICATION OF MATHEMATICS I TO REAL-LIFE SITUATIONS: IMPACT ON ENGINEERING STUDENTS’ MOTIVATION

Abstract

This paper describes a pedagogical experiment conducted in the Mathematics I course during the first year, first semester, of the undergraduate programs in Systems Engineering and Civil Engineering. The primary objective was to analyze the impact of problem-solving with practical applications on student motivation and academic performance. Throughout the semester, assignments were proposed, some individual and others group-based. Certain assignments were completed in physical format, while others were submitted digitally via the Moodle platform. All students enrolled in the courses participated in the experiment. The strategy aimed to promote the connection between mathematical content and real engineering contexts, fostering student interest and active participation. The collected data demonstrated a significant improvement in pass rates compared to previous years. Additionally, students expressed a positive perception of the applied approach, despite acknowledging the increased complexity of the exercises. The results suggest that the inclusion of contextualized tasks can be an effective approach for teaching Mathematics in higher education, contributing both to academic success and to the development of transversal competencies essential in Engineering education.