NotesFAQContact Us
Collection
Advanced
Search Tips
50 Years of ERIC
50 Years of ERIC
The Education Resources Information Center (ERIC) is celebrating its 50th Birthday! First opened on May 15th, 1964 ERIC continues the long tradition of ongoing innovation and enhancement.

Learn more about the history of ERIC here. PDF icon

Back to results
Peer reviewed Peer reviewed
Direct linkDirect link
ERIC Number: EJ755450
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2004
Pages: 25
Abstractor: Author
Reference Count: 41
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0256-2928
Vygotskian Theory and Mathematics Education: Resolving the Conceptual-Procedural Dichotomy
Schmittau, Jean
European Journal of Psychology of Education, v19 n1 p19-43 2004
The aim of this paper is to demonstrate that in spite of some superficial similarities the current mathematics reform in the US based on constructivist principles differs substantially from mathematical education based on Vygotskian cultural-historical theory (V.V. Davydov's mathematics program), and to illustrate the manner in which Davydov's program virtually obliterates the conceptual-procedural division that has fueled the current "math wars". Both constructivism and Davydov's approach emphasize the active character of students' acquisition of mathematical concepts. Constructivists, however, begin the instructional process from the children's pre-existent concepts while Vygotskians reorient it toward acquisition of what Vygotsky defined as "scientific" rather than "spontaneous, everyday" concepts. A three-year study of the implementation of Davydov's elementary mathematics program in a school setting in the US found that the American children overcame the initial challenges of the program, consistently resolved computational errors conceptually, and finally demonstrated the ability to solve high school level mathematics problems. The curriculum appeared to foster the development of theoretical thinking, an explicit goal of Davydov's program, which constitutes its major value and educational significance. (Contains 9 figures.)
Instituto Superior de Psicologia Aplicada. Rua Jardim do Tabaco, 34, Lisboa 1149-041, Portugal. Tel: +351-21-881-1700; Fax: +351-21-886-0954; Web site: http://www.ispa.pt
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Evaluative
Education Level: Elementary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers: N/A