Álgebra linear a distância para licenciandos em química: análise de um curso oferecido no modelo UAB

Abstract

This qualitative research focuses on the development of the discipline Linear Algebra in an undergraduate distance education course context in chemistry teaching offered by UFJF. The course was related to the UAB (Open University of Brazil) system. The research question was created in line with a constructivist epistemology, a theoretical perspective and an interpretative methodology guided by the Grounded Theory, and it was: "How the discipline Linear Algebra has been developed in the undergraduate distance education course in chemistry teaching offered by UFJF?". Data was produced mainly from the Pedagogical Project of the course, from the records of the VLE (Virtual Learning Environment), from questionnaires and from interviews with students, with a presential tutor and teacher’s discipline. Through data analysis, a concise overview of the course was built, observing the contrasts between the proposed Pedagogical Project and the reality found. Specifically on Linear Algebra the most important points were the indexes of pass/fail, some of the difficulties the students had to deal with the more abstract aspects of the discipline and the importance that is given to the presential tutor, the exercise classes, and the formation of study groups and the use of video classes. The results suggest that there was an "empty", both quantitative, regarding the course drop out, as qualitative with regard to the understanding of the discipline central concepts.