On a research programme concerning the teaching and learning of linear algebra in the first-year of a French science university

The paper discusses the current approach to the teaching of linear algebra in the first year at a French science university and the main difficulties that students have with this material. A brief account is given of the first steps towards the design of a teaching experiment. From a joint didactical and historical survey a first hypothesis is drawn: epistemological specificity, the use of ‘meta-lever’, the use of changes of settings and points of view, and the importance of the concept of rank. The main aspects and objectives of the teaching design with which we experimented over a whole teaching semester for five years with around 200 students are presented. Finally, the type of evaluations that were set up and the difficulties encountered are explained. The conclusion deals with issues on the teaching and learning of linear algebra as well as issues on methodological and theoretical points in relation to the original didactical framework.