ERIC Number: EJ1138683
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2017
Pages: 20
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0020-739X
EISSN: N/A
Use of Words and Visuals in Modelling Context of Annual Plant
Park, Jungeun; DiNapoli, Joseph; Mixell, Robert A.; Flores, Alfinio
International Journal of Mathematical Education in Science and Technology, v48 n5 p682-701 2017
This study looks at the various verbal and non-verbal representations used in a process of modelling the number of annual plants over time. Analysis focuses on how various representations such as words, diagrams, letters and mathematical equations evolve in the mathematization process of the modelling context. Our results show that (1) visual representations such as flowcharts are used not only in the process to symbolization, but also used in the justification of symbols, (2) some of the visual representations serve as a bridge between the words in the problem context and the symbols that represent the mathematical equations of the number of annual plants and (3) words and context help to introduce visual representations and symbols. Also, once students come up with the visual representations and symbols, they show better understanding about words used in the problem context. These observations imply that the modelling and mathematization process is not just one-directional and linear from words describing real-life situations to the symbols in mathematical equations and expressions. Rather, the mathematization can be promoted through using other visuals that help make this transition smooth by organizing the given information in a way that can be used towards mathematization.
Descriptors: Mathematics, Mathematics Instruction, Mathematical Models, Equations (Mathematics), Mathematical Formulas, Symbols (Mathematics), Mathematics Activities, Undergraduate Students, Graduate Students, College Mathematics
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Higher Education; Postsecondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
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