Researchers from Daugavpils University, in collaboration with partners from Estonia and the Åland Islands (Finland), have developed two methodological publications within the Nordplus Higher Education project “Traditions and Innovations in Baltic and Nordic Mathematics Education/2025” (Project No. NPHE-2025/10040). The publications aim to enhance mathematics teaching in higher education by strengthening the links between mathematical theory, real-world applications, and labour market needs. The project outputs are publicly available and intended for use by higher education lecturers and students enrolled in STEM programmes.

The first publication, “Traditions and Innovations in Baltic and Nordic Mathematics Education: A Methodological Guide for Higher Education” presents contemporary approaches to teaching mathematics in higher education.

The guide introduces Inquiry-Based Learning (IBL) methodologies, demonstrates how mathematics can be connected to authentic professional contexts, discusses principles of sustainable mathematics education, and highlights research-based strategies for increasing student motivation and developing STEM competencies. Drawing on the experience of higher education institutions across the Baltic and Nordic regions, the gide provides practical recommendations for enhancing teaching and learning practices. An important outcome of the project is the publication of the methodological guide in Latvian. In addition to the international English-language edition, the project team has prepared a Latvian version entitled “Tradīcijas un inovācijas Baltijas un Ziemeļvalstu matemātikas izglītībā: metodiskie ieteikumi augstākās matemātikas mācīšanā”.

Making the guide available in Latvian supports the long-term sustainability of the project results by encouraging their wider use in Latvian higher education and assisting lecturers in implementing modern, student-centred approaches to mathematics teaching.

The second publication “Practical Guidebook for Mathematics Teaching in Higher Education: Linear and Vector Algebra” is a practical teaching resource covering linear and vector algebra. It combines concise theoretical explanations, fully worked examples, exercises of varying levels of difficulty, and authentic problem-solving tasks based on real-world applications in engineering, computer science, economics, and other STEM disciplines. The resource is designed to help students develop both a solid understanding of mathematical concepts and the ability to apply them in professional contexts.

The project team emphasizes that these publications support the continuous improvement of mathematics education in higher education by providing lecturers with innovative teaching resources and students with opportunities to learn mathematics in a modern, practice-oriented, and internationally relevant context. Together, the publications represent an important contribution to strengthening collaboration in higher education across the Baltic and Nordic regions and to promoting innovative approaches to mathematics education.

Additional information:
Project Coordinator at Daugavpils University
|Liene Briede
E-mail: liene.briede@du.lv