ERIC Number: EJ1169272
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2018-Mar
Pages: 20
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0013-1954
EISSN: N/A
Prototype Images in Mathematics Education: The Case of The Graphical Representation of The Definite Integral
Jones, Steven R.
Educational Studies in Mathematics, v97 n3 p215-234 Mar 2018
Many mathematical concepts may have prototypical images associated with them. While prototypes can be beneficial for efficient thinking or reasoning, they may also have self-attributes that may impact reasoning about the concept. It is essential that mathematics educators understand these prototype images in order to fully recognize their benefits and limitations. In this paper, I examine prototypes in a context in which they seem to play an important role: graphical representations of the calculus concept of the definite integral. I use student data to empirically describe the makeup of the definite integral prototype image, and I report on the frequency of its appearance among student, instructor, and textbook image data. I end by discussing the possible benefits and drawbacks of this particular prototype, as well as what the results of this study may say about prototypes more generally.
Descriptors: Mathematics Instruction, Models, Mathematical Concepts, Concept Formation, Mathematical Logic, Teaching Methods, Calculus, Visual Stimuli
Springer. 233 Spring Street, New York, NY 10013. Tel: 800-777-4643; Tel: 212-460-1500; Fax: 212-348-4505; e-mail: service-ny@springer.com; Web site: http://www.springerlink.com
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research; Tests/Questionnaires
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A