Discussion group 13
Challenges and possibilities posed by different perspectives and theoretical approaches in mathematics education research
http://dg.icme11.org/tsg/show/14 ‡
http://educmath.inrp.fr/Educmath/recherches/projets-de-recherche/dg13
Organizing team:
Team chairs:
- Luc Trouche (France)
luc.trouche@inrp.fr
- Susanne Prediger (Germany)
prediger@math.uni-dortmund.de
Team members:
- Patricia Camarena (Mexico)
pcamarena@ipn.mx
- Soledad Ulep (The Philippines)
soledad.ulep@up.edu.ph
- Jana Trgalova (France)
jana.trgalova@inrp.fr
Aims and focus
The large diversity of different perspectives and theoretical approaches in the mathematics education research community has often been described. It poses challenges for international communication, for the integration of empirical results into a bigger corpus of scientific knowledge and in the long run for a cumulative and joint progress in the research field.
On the other hand, the diversity of different perspectives is unavoidable due to very different traditions and focuses. Even stronger, some researchers (including the organizing team) consider it to be a rich resource thatenables researchers to grasp the complexity of the research objects.
The discussion group focuses not only on challenges, but also on possible strategies for connecting perspectives for a better understanding of complex phenomena in mathematics teaching and learning.
In order to avoid a too abstract discussion without concrete basis, we will refer to concrete research projects in the field of mathematics teaching and learning (with a special attention paid to ICT, i.e. Information and Communications Technology), its design and use):
- How are different perspectives and theoretical approaches reflected in concrete research practices? (Exemplify the expression of different theories on research practices)
- Where has the diversity of perspectives and theoretical approaches been used as a resource for a better understanding of complex phenomena?
(Exemplify the use different perspectives for understanding empirical phenomena)
- What strategies can be used to connect different perspectives and approaches in concrete research projects? (connect different theories for their development)? How can different theoretical approaches learn from each other?
How to participate
Discussion Groups are expressly not about the presentation of research papers. However, as starting points for discussions, the OT is calling for written contributions that bring forward examples of research projects and their general reflections due to one or more of the questions listed above.
Accepted contributions will be posted on the web page of DG13 and will be referred to during the discussions at ICME11.
Contributors are expected to participate in all the sessions of the Discussion Group, together with others who are interested in the theme but have not entered a written contribution. The written contributions should include the following information:
- the author(s) names and location (town and country, school, or establishment) and contact details (if possible the address of the personal webpage);
- explicit references to the addressed questions;
- a general reflection on the issues of the Discussion Group, rather than a classical research report;
- a concrete example from research practices, most preferably (but not only) on ICT (see above).
The written preliminary contribution should be 2 to maximally 4 pages (A4 please) in length using 12-point font, single spaced, with 2 cm margins, and should be submitted electronically to both DG13 co-chairs (luc.trouche@inrp.fr and prediger@math.uni-dortmund.de).
Timeline:
- The deadline for submission of the preliminary short versions is January 20th 2008.
- By the end of February 2008 – Information about acceptance will be sent to contributors who will be asked to prepare an extended version of their text (6 pages maximum) by the end of March 2008.
- By the April 20th 2008 – The OT will prepare and publish an organising framework for the operation of DG13 based on the extended contributions received.
Preliminary plan for the sessions:
- At this stage we envision devoting the first 2 sessions (of 2 hours each) to small group discussions after a brief introduction to the key issues by the members of the OT.
- For the final session (1 hour only) the OT is considering the possibility of a common report back session to share general observations and issues and possibly plan further cooperation.
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