A critical reflection on the content and objectives of Calculus I and II in Production Engineering courses at Federal Institutes

Abstract

Given the current market demand for professionals capable of assertively recognizing and solving the problems encountered, it is necessary that they have training aimed at developing skills and abilities. In this way, the work aims to characterize the teaching plans of the school subjects of Calculus I and II, proposed in the Pedagogical Course Projects (PPC) of the Federal Institutes. To this end, the proposed contents and objectives were identified, performing a comparative analysis between what the teaching programs contemplate and what the documents define as necessary to promote the development of skills and competences of a production engineer. Through the use of software Iramuteq, the objectives and contents of Calculus I and II were analyzed, relating to the normative documents and highlighting the main characteristics. The results showed that PPCs are not very specific in defining important information, which represents an obstacle in learning management. It emphasizes the need to pay attention to the contents and objectives proposed in the discipline plan, ensuring that its approach promotes the development of skills and abilities of the production engineer. One should reflect on the contents taught, considering its application in real situations. The objectives, in turn, need to contemplate the contribution to the formation of the student with skills and abilities.