Inge Schwank

Inge Schwank

Inge Schwank (born July 6, 1959 in Königstein im Taunus ) is a German math didactic and university professor. Since 2014 she has been Professor of Mathematics Didactics at the University of Cologne.

life and work

After graduating from high school in 1977, Schwank studied mathematics and physics at the University of Osnabrück in Bad Bentheim . After the 1st state examination for teaching at grammar schools in 1982, she was a research assistant in the working group 'Fundamentals of Mathematics / Mathematics Didactics' until 1984 and did her doctorate in 1984 with Elmar Cohors-Fresenborgwith the dissertation: Preference-controlled [alpha-beta-gamma] machines. Then she was managing director of the Research Institute for Mathematics Didactics until 2009. V. (FMD) in Osnabrück. In 1992 she completed her habilitation in the field of mathematics with a focus on mathematics didactics at the University of Osnabrück. In 1994 she was appointed adjunct professor there and administered a professorship for didactics of mathematics at the University of Cologne. In 1999 she was visiting professor for cognitive mathematics at the East China Normal University in Shanghai . After managing a professorship for didactics of mathematics at the University of Osnabrück, she became university professor for mathematics didactics in 2001. Since 2014 she has been Professor of Mathematics Didactics at the University of Cologne .

Research and projects

Current research focuses on the neuroscientific fundamentals of arithmetic thinking and the forms of thinking of formal thinking, above all, mathematical early intervention and dyscalculia .

International research work

Inge Schwank maintains connections to various institutes and universities in the People's Republic of China . In the course of joint research projects, she was awarded the following honors:

• 10/95: Honorary Head of the Mathematics Didactic Laboratory, Institute for International and Comparative Education, Eastern China University of Education , Shanghai
• 4/97: Appointment as Honorary Professor (Advisory Professor) of the Pedagogical University of East China, Shanghai
• 5/99: Appointment as honorary school director of the secondary school assigned to the base of the Center for Teacher Training in Shanghai
• 9/05: Appointment as Honorary Professor (Advisory Professor) of the Ili Pedagogical University , Gulja , Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region
• 9-10 / 05: Appointment as scientific advisor of the 15th Primary School and the 8th Middle School in Gulja , Uyghur Autonomous Region Xinjiang, and the 1st Middle School in Qapqal , Uyghur Autonomous Region Xinjiang
• 2010–2013: Educational Advisor of Chongqing YuZhong No. 2 Experimental Elementary School
• 2010–2014: Cooperation partner of the Affiliated Middle School of Shanghai Teacher Training Center (at the Pedagogical University of Shanghai )
• Since 08/2010: Main advisor to the Center "Cognitive Mathematics - Experimental Research". This center is part of the Center for the Development of Chinese Mathematics Teaching of the Chinese Society for Education. Main location is: Institute of Mathematical Sciences of Pedagogical Capital University , Beijing
• 3/2011: Appointment as honorary professor at the Shanghai University of Education

Selected literature

• Schwank, I. (2011): Basic mathematical understanding: thinking needs to be learned. In H. Keller (ed.): Handbuch der Kleinkindforschung. 4th corrected, revised and expanded edition.
• Schwank, I. (2010): The world of numbers - gimmicks with the computing spiral staircase for preschool children. Osnabrück: Research Institute for Mathematics Didactics
• Schwank, I. (2010): Number theater - games with wooden figures to prepare school writing (with application on the number line). Research Institute for Mathematics Didactics
• Schwank, I. (2010): On dealing with nothing as numbers and other ideas. In S. Kliemann (ed.): Diagnosing and promoting. 129-141. Berlin: Cornelsen Scriptor.
• Schwank, I. (2009): How much is it? - Orientation in number space with fractions. In A. Fritz-Stratmann & S. Schmidt: (Ed.): Supportive mathematics lessons in secondary school I. Recognize and overcome arithmetic difficulties. 109-122. Weinheim / Basel: Beltz.
• Schwank, I. (2009): Promoting girls and boys - knowing cognitive basics. klexer - magazine for primary schools. No. 23 July 2009. 3-5. Cornelsen.
• Schwank, I. & Nowinska, E. (2008): The form of thinking in formulas. In B. Barzel, T. Berlin & A. Fischer (eds.): Algebraic thinking. Festschrift for Lisa Hefendehl-Hebeker. 111-122. Hildesheim: Franzbecker.
• Schwank, I. (2008): Learning mathematics: The misunderstood meaning of speechless thinking. In S. Kliemann (ed.): Diagnosing and promoting in secondary level I - recognizing, supporting and expanding student skills. 174-185. Berlin: Cornelsen Scriptor.
• Schwank, I. & Nowinska, E. (2007): To prepare for algebraic thinking. In L. Hefendehl-Hebeker & I. Schwank (eds.): Development of algebraic thinking. Preprint for the minisymposium of the same name D05 of the joint annual meeting of DMV and GDM in Berlin. 5-8. Osnabrück: University of Osnabrück. Further in: Contributions to Mathematics Classes 2007. 116–119. Hildesheim: Franzbecker.
• Schwank, I. (2005): The difficulty of thinking in addition. In M. von Aster / J.-H. Lorenz (ed.), Arithmetic disorders in children. - Neuroscience, psychology, education. 93-133. Göttingen: Vandenhoeck & Ruprecht.
• Schwank, I. (2005): Children are not pocket calculators. Interview. Brain & mind. 6/05, 34-37.
• Schwank, I. (2004): eLearning: Individuality as a Challenge - Cognitive Didactic Notes. In M. Franzen (ed.), The future of eLearning. New knowledge from brain research, education and economics. 47-65. Zurich: EMPA Academy.
• Schwank, I. (2003): Introduction to functional and predictive thinking. In I. Schwank: ZDM thematic booklet 'On Cognitive Mathematics', 70–78.
• Schwank, I. (2001): Analysis of Eye-Movements During Functional Versus Predicative Problem Solving. 2nd Conference for the
• Schwank, I. (2000): On functional / predictive thinking and operational principles in mathematics lessons in primary schools. In contributions to mathematics teaching 2000, pp. 579-582. Hildesheim, Franzbecker.
• Schwank, I. (1999): On Predicative versus Functional Cognitive Structures. In I. Schwank (ed.) European Research in Mathematics Education, Vol. II, 84–96. Osnabrück: Research Institute for Mathematics Didactics.

Web links

• Homepage of Inge Schwank
• Biography at the University of Osnabrück