A COMPARATIVE STUDY OF PEDAGOGICAL APPROACHES IN MATHEMATICS TO DEVELOP COMPETENCIES FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

Changes, which are seen in society, require changes in higher education institutions, too. Higher education institutions have new approaches towards teaching and learning paradigms. Learning becomes a process in which people develop their knowledge, understanding, skills, values, attitudes and experience. As mathematics develops person's intelligence and personality and serves as a tool for professional activities and evidence-based decision-making, mathematical competence has always played a significant role in the sustainable development of society. This paper is the result of scientific analysis and assessment of scientific literature and a number of information sources taking into consideration the authors' reflection experience and observations in connection with what the process of mathematics learning should be under the competence-based, contextual, interdisciplinary, subject-based and constructivist approach allowing the development of a university student's competencies necessary for sustainable development as well as successfully perform their professional activities. The empirical part of the research is based on the survey of teachers of mathematics in Latvia and Lithuania, in order to identify their experience in the implementation of different pedagogical approaches in the course of mathematics for economists. A comparative study on using pedagogical approaches in Latvia University of Life Sciences and Technologies and Siauliai University (Lithuania) has been made. Summarizing the findings recommendations for the improvement of existing mathematics study courses have been developed.