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ERIC Number: EJ1065055
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2015-Jun
Pages: 14
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1863-9690
EISSN: N/A
Young Children Reasoning about Symmetry in a Dynamic Geometry Environment
Ng, Oi-Lam; Sinclair, Nathalie
ZDM: The International Journal on Mathematics Education, v47 n3 p421-434 Jun 2015
In this paper, we investigate children's learning of reflectional symmetry in a dynamic geometry environment. Through a classroom-based intervention involving two 1-h lessons, we analyse the changes in the children's thinking about reflectional symmetry: first, they developed dynamic and embodied ways of thinking about symmetry after working with a pre-constructed sketch called the "symmetry machine". Secondly, they moved from distinguishing symmetrical and asymmetrical figures statically to generalising about properties of symmetry. This was evident in the way children expressed symmetric movement through words, gestures and diagrams during the computer-based lessons as well as in the follow-up paper-and-pencil tasks. We highlight the specific roles of the teacher and of the digital technology in supporting the process of semiotic mediation through which the children learned symmetry.
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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
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A