Problem solving and the use of digital technologies within the Mathematical Working Space framework

The aim of this study is to analyze and document the extent to which high school teachers rely on a set of technology affordances to articulate epistemological and cognitive actions in problem solving approaches. Participants were encouraged to construct dynamic representations of tasks and always t...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:ZDM 2016-10, Vol.48 (6), p.827-842
Main Authors: Santos-Trigo, Manuel, Moreno-Armella, Luis, Camacho-Machín, Matías
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Cognition & reasoning
Cognitive Processes
Digital technology
Documents
Education
Educational Environment
Educational Technology
Empirical analysis
Epistemology
Geometry
High Schools
Knowledge
Learning
Mathematical analysis
Mathematical Concepts
Mathematical problems
Mathematics
Mathematics Education
Mathematics Instruction
Original Article
Problem Solving
School environment
Secondary School Mathematics
Secondary School Teachers
Semiotics
Space frames
Students
Teachers
Teaching
Teaching Methods
Technology Uses in Education
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Summary:The aim of this study is to analyze and document the extent to which high school teachers rely on a set of technology affordances to articulate epistemological and cognitive actions in problem solving approaches. Participants were encouraged to construct dynamic representations of tasks and always to look for different ways to identify and support mathematical relations. To this end, three interrelated geneses (instrumental, semiotic, discursive) proposed in the Mathematical Working Space frame are used to document ways in which the participants constructed dynamic configuration of mathematical tasks as a means initially to explore invariants and eventually formulate conjectures based on empirical arguments. Technology affordances that involve dragging objects, quantifying parameters, graphing loci and using sliders were important for the participants to articulate semiotic and discursive geneses. Thus, the participants’ approaches that appeared individual, small group and plenary discussions contributed to identifying initial conjectures that later were analyzed via empirical, geometric or algebraic arguments. In addition, the participants recognized that a working space to understand mathematical ideas and to solve problems should foster mathematical discussions beyond formal settings. The use of digital technologies plays an important role in both representing and exploring mathematical tasks and in following the discussion outside the formal class. As a result, the participants outlined a possible route to implement a route for learners to integrate activities to account for instrumental, semiotic, and discursive genesis.
ISSN:1863-9690
1863-9704
DOI:10.1007/s11858-016-0757-0