Modeling in Mathematics Education at the Secondary Level

This paper deals with an empirical study, which aims at showing in which way the pupils beliefs about mathematics and their modelling competencies are changed by modelling lessons. Therefore six modelling units were integrated into the maths lessons of two parallel classes of grade 8. During the data collection period a variety of methods was used to collect the mathematical beliefs and the modelling competencies of the pupils. The paper explains the theoretical approach, the classroom settings and the methodological approach of the study and describes the main results of the study.