Modeling in prison: Mathematics education for peace

Abstract

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.14244/19827199598

The objective of this study was to investigate the potential for using mathematical modeling as a tool in the education of prisoners. The study group was composed of prisoners from the Penitentiary System of Parana State, Brazil, in the metropolitan area of Curitiba. Our research proposal was based on qualitative methodology from an action-research perspective.  It was conducted with six prisoner-students enrolled in the State Center for Basic Education for Youth and Adults “Dr. Mário Faraco”, which is a formal education system for youth and adults that operates within all the penal units in the metropolitan region of Curitiba, under the auspices of the Penitentiary Department of Parana State. The use of mathematical modeling involved the students in the framing of questions, collection of data and other information, and analyses and interpretation of results. These activities helped the students develop creative and critical skills, and increased their self-esteem, intuition and curiosity, which are important factors for re-socialization. The interaction with information and data, using mathematical modeling as a tool, and the resulting discussions helped the students realize the value of academic learning for analysis and interpretation in daily life and society. The results of the research demonstrate that, under the right conditions, mathematical modeling can be a valuable tool in the education of prisoners.

Keywords: Mathematics education, Mathematical modeling,  Learning and teaching, Prison.