Student Attitudes toward Teaching Mathematics at the Masaryk Institute of Advanced Studies in Prague

Abstract

Two main attitudes are currently being discussed at the Czech Technical University in Prague regarded teaching mathematics: theoretical approach and on the other hand, approach stressing practical orientation of mathematics. The discussion is being proceeded especially among academic and research workers. However, in order to gain additional information not only from the teaching personnel, but also students, a quantitative research focused on student attitudes towards teaching mathematics was conducted. In the research we concentrated especially on student opinions regarded usefulness and utility of mathematics for economic studies, student emotional attitude to mathematics and student preferences with regard to didactic principals and teaching aids.  The result of the survey revealed the students preference towards solving real economic problems during the courses rather than focusing on theoretical mathematics.