ERIC Number: EJ1018695
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2013
Pages: 19
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1442-3901
EISSN: N/A
Constructing Meanings of Mathematical Registers Using Metaphorical Reasoning and Models
Lai, Mun Yee
Mathematics Teacher Education and Development, v15 n1 p29-47 2013
Current debates about successful mathematics pedagogy suggest that mathematical learning and problem solving can be enhanced by using metaphors as they provide students with a tool for thinking. But assisting pre-service teachers to understand the importance of careful and accurate explanations for mathematical concepts remains an issue. This paper investigates how a mathematics teacher made use of models and metaphors to construct mathematical meanings within a transformational shift between less- and more-mathematical language. The Peircian model of semiosis was employed to identify the conceptual relationships in the metaphors and to analyse possible discrepancies between the literal meaning of metaphors, the teacher's intended meaning and the targeted mathematical concepts. The findings indicate that the syntactic, semantic, and pragmatic features of the language used in mathematics teaching play a significant role in student learning. Teachers' knowledge of students' prior understanding of mathematical meaning of related concepts and their knowledge of examples, models, and language that are pedagogically preferable jointly affect the quality of teaching.
Descriptors: Foreign Countries, Figurative Language, Logical Thinking, Mathematical Models, Mathematics Instruction, Mathematical Concepts, Language Usage, Syntax, Semantics, Pragmatics, Secondary School Mathematics, Grade 7, Secondary School Teachers, Mathematics Teachers, Discourse Analysis, Teacher Education, Semi Structured Interviews
Mathematics Education Research Group of Australasia. GPO Box 2747, Adelaide SA 5001, Australia. Tel: +61-8-8363-0288; Fax: +61-8-8362-9288; e-mail: mted@merga.net.au; Web site: http://www.merga.net.au/
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Secondary Education; Grade 7; Higher Education; Postsecondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: China
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A