ERIC Number: EJ1018736
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2013
Pages: 7
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0228-0671
EISSN: N/A
Chunky and Smooth Images of Change
Castillo-Garsow, Carlos; Johnson, Heather Lynn; Moore, Kevin C.
For the Learning of Mathematics, v33 n3 p31-37 2013
Characterizing how quantities change (or vary) in tandem has been an important historical focus in mathematics that extends into the current teaching of mathematics. Thus, how students conceptualize quantities that change in tandem becomes critical to their mathematical development. In this paper, we propose two images of change: chunky and smooth. Chunky images of change are based in imagining change as occurring countable and completed amounts, whereas smooth images of change are based in imagining a continually changing experience. Using empirical examples of student work, we illustrate these images of change and their implications.
Descriptors: Mathematics Instruction, Mathematical Concepts, Change, Concept Formation, Mathematics Skills, Imagination, Teaching Methods
FLM Publishing Association. 382 Education South, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta T6G 2G5, Canada. e-mail: flm2@ualberta.ca; Web site: http://flm.educ.ualberta.ca
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Evaluative
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A