Teaching mathematics at the Faculty of Economics and Management

Abstract

Mathematics is an auxiliary subject for students of the University of Agriculture. Nowadays, in many fields specialists find the right activity development complicated unless the sufficient level of mathematical literacy is possessed. Traditionally, Lithuanian University of Agriculture is more attractive to students from rural schools. They have lower academic achievements than those applying to other higher education institutions. Quite a high percentage of students lack elements of mathematics. Mathematical preparedness has been determined with 15-question test, developed by lecturers of Universities of Agriculture from Sweden and Latvia. The authors of the paper consider differentiation of the first-year students for teaching mathematics based on the level of their preparedness expedient. Weak students find the pace of learning mathematics too high. The research shows that the Diploma and test results determine 40 per cent of the examination result variation. Many years of observing show that changes in environment affect the behaviour of the first year students differently. Grouping talented first-year students with weak, unmotivated ones, results in a negative situation. When it is difficult for most of the audience to understand some concepts, order and aim of the transformed phenomena, and the results obtained, the course of teaching and learning is impeded. Either in this case, gifted students do not receive sufficient attention, or the weaker ones are acquainted with the course material superficially. Motivated students, even if they have gaps in basic knowledge, having put some additional efforts master fundamentals of the university mathematics course successfully.