ERIC Number: EJ960700
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2012
Pages: 19
Abstractor: As Provided
Reference Count: 0
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0883-0355
Student Talk and Opportunities for Mathematical Learning in Small Group Interactions
Wood, Marcy B.; Kalinec, Crystal A.
International Journal of Educational Research, v51-52 p109-127 2012
Small group interactions are an important tool for mathematical learning and yet researchers have neither examined small group talk across entire lessons nor have they focused on moments of mathematical learning in small groups. We examined such talk and identified kinds of interactions and connections between interactions and mathematical learning. We differentiated talk based upon its focus: mathematical objects (mathematizing), people (subjectifying), or more specifically, people's attributes (identifying). Most of the talk focused on what students were doing or should be doing as opposed to focusing on mathematics. Students also spent considerable time on identifying--talk that revolved around people and their features. Also, there was a struggle over who could talk and about what. In spite of limited "mathematical" talk, we found evidence of mathematical learning during the task. These findings support a number of conjectures about learners' vision of their roles as their peers' teachers or students and the way this vision impacts learning interactions and learning outcomes. It also leads to several suggestions about how to enhance learning in small groups as well as about areas for future research into student interactions. (Contains 2 tables and 6 figures.)
Descriptors: Mathematics Education, Classroom Communication, Mathematics, Mathematics Instruction, Outcomes of Education, Interaction
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers: N/A

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