Unit:
Κατεύθυνση Διδακτική και Μεθοδολογία των ΜαθηματικώνLibrary of the School of Science
Author:
Melissakis Georgios
Supervisors info:
Ψυχάρης Γ., Επίκουρος Καθηγητής, Τμήμα Μαθηματικών, ΕΚΠΑ
Original Title:
Μελέτη της νοηματοδότησης της έννοιας της εξίσωσης από μαθητές Α ́ Γυμνασίου μέσω της χρήσης του ψηφιακού εργαλείου «Πολύζυγο».
Translated title:
Study on the meaning creation of the concept of equality by 7th grade students when using the digital tool "Polyzygo".
Summary:
Linear equations are amongst the most important chapters of the algebra curriculum in lower secondary education. The use of mathematical models is common when introducing the concept of the equation. Of those models, the one used most often, is the balance model. There is a plethora of research focused on this model’s uses and limitations. One of its most commonly noted limitations lies in its inability to include negative numbers. The latter often leads into difficulties when constructing meaning for equations involving negative values. Lots of this model’s variations have been used by researchers. In this research we will study the trajectory of meaning construction of the concept of the equation by seventh grade students when using the digital tool “Polyzygo”. This microworld, other than representing a common balance model, allows the inclusion of negative numbers as well as multiple scales. Our main focus will be on the role of representations of the environment as well as on the characteristics of algebraic thinking as proposed by Radford (2014).
Main subject category:
Science
Keywords:
Balance model, linear equations, variable, objectification, algebraic thinking
