Abstract:

The enrichment and the transmission of academic knowledge is facilitated through experiences and from everyday realities. We can encourage a positive attitude for learning with a more dynamic and active teaching.

In the last four years we have been involved in a program that promote a closer relation between the Mathematics taught in the classroom and Mathematics applied to real life.
The intention of the program "Matemática Fora de Portas" (“Outdoor Math”) is to contribute to the academic success of Mathematics lessons, deepening and intensifying the interaction between school and the real world. It's a powerful approach to learning in which direct experience is of prime importance and provides a context for learning: thinking and problem-solving skills.

The Math classes are performed outside of the school building and outdoor, showing the Math applied to different scenarios of the beautiful Oporto’s city.
Using day-to-day material as support resources (monuments, buildings, traffic, gardens,...) we assure the consolidation of Mathematical concepts (Geometry, Data Analysis, Graphs and others) taught in the classroom developing. "Matemática Fora de Portas" allows joining and unifying Mathematical concepts, adapt methods and results to new contexts revealing a new way of looking at the city, its buildings and its working dynamics.

We explore the “learning how to do” in order to raise achievement. The students are intensely curious and should be given the opportunity to explore the world around them with Mathematics. The innovative and creative character of this program contributed to the success of this initiative.

Keywords:

Mathematics, motivation, teaching and learning, outdoor learning, pedagogical innovation.