International Workshop on the teaching and learning of discrete mathematics

Discrete mathematics, as a field of mathematical research, has developed considerably over the last few decades in connection with the development of computer science, since many computational structures and computer science concepts are based on discrete objects. Discrete mathematics is often marginal in curricula, and appears mostly in extra-curricular activities, without specific focus on the learning of mathematical content. At the same time, it is an area that is relevant to many aspects of mathematics education. It is often considered as well adapted for developing problem solving skills, since problems of various difficulties can be posed without requiring complex preliminary theoretical knowledge from students. Recent research has also shown the various interests of discrete mathematics for teaching and learning mathematics beyond problem solving, including the potential role of the domain in learning mathematical abstraction and proof, and the various connections with other mathematical domains. Beyond these aspects, the need to teach discrete mathematics is also raised by computer science and the current spread of computer science courses in secondary and higher education. The workshop planned on 7 and 8 June 2024 at the University of Montpellier (France) is intended to bring together researchers working in the emerging field of the didactics of discrete mathematics, in order to establish a research network at European level and beyond, and develop research on the subject. There will be short and long invited presentations, as well as time for group discussions to lay the foundations for future collaborations. All presentations will be invited, but the event will be public and interested colleagues will be able to join the event beyond the invited participants. This event is part of Katalin Gosztonyi's Marie Curie Postdoctoral Fellowship entitled Problem-based learning trajectories in discrete mathematics education (ProDiME), developed with Simon Modeste and Viviane Durand-Guerrier, at the IMAG, UM. The workshop on discrete mathematics is intended to serve both as a closing event for the ProDiME project and as a first step towards establishing an international research network on the teaching and learning of discrete mathematics.