Análisis comparativo en matemáticas entre segundo de BGU y primero IB de la Unidad Educativa Particular Hermano Miguel de La Salle

Abstract

This study, entitled “Comparative analysis in mathematics between the second year of the Bachillerato General Unificado (BGU) and the first year of the International Baccalaureate (IB) at Hermano Miguel De La Salle High School, is an investigation that answers the following question: What common and different elements do these two modalities have in relation to the curriculum, methodology, and the learning level? To respond to this question, a mixed-methods approach research was carried out since an exploration was done to gather data, and thus contrast fundamental aspects of the curriculum of the Bachillerato General Unificado with that of the IB Diploma Programme (DP). Additionally, a group of mathematics teachers from the two modalities were interviewed to identify the methodologies and assessment techniques they use in their clases; students from the first IB and the second BGU took a mathematics general knowledge test to determine the learning level they had achieved; Student ́s T was applied for heterogeneous independent groups. Finally, the outcomes revealed differences concerning the elements of the BGU and the IB curricula. According to the teachers’ responses, they use the same methodology with both classes; nonetheless, the assessment differs due to each curriculum’s requirements. The test showed that the students from the BGU and the IB are highly familiar with structured-based questions, and the students from the IB demonstrated a higher learning level in exercises involving mathematical processes.