{"title":"Does collaborative and experiential work influence the solution of real-context estimation problems? A study with prospective teachers","authors":"C. Segura , I. Ferrando , L. Albarracín","doi":"10.1016/j.jmathb.2023.101040","DOIUrl":null,"url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Although it is a challenge for primary school teachers, real-context estimation problems can be used as an introduction to mathematical modeling. With this aim, we designed a two-phase activity: in the first phase, 224 prospective teachers developed individual action plans to solve a sequence of real-context estimation problems in the classroom; in the second phase, they completed the solution of the same problems working in groups in the real location where the four problems were contextualized. A comparative study showed that, in the second phase, prospective teachers were able to adapt their solutions to contextual features detected <em>in situ</em> that had not been anticipated in the action plans developed during the first phase. Two-phase modeling activities, which permit a comparison of different perspectives on problems, facilitate the experience of collaborative work. These activities could be incorporated into prospective teachers’ initial training as a useful resource for improving their problem-solving expertise.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":47481,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Mathematical Behavior","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.0000,"publicationDate":"2023-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":"1","resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":null,"PeriodicalName":"Journal of Mathematical Behavior","FirstCategoryId":"1085","ListUrlMain":"https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S073231232300010X","RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":null,"ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":null,"EPubDate":"","PubModel":"","JCR":"Q3","JCRName":"EDUCATION & EDUCATIONAL RESEARCH","Score":null,"Total":0}
引用次数: 1
Abstract
Although it is a challenge for primary school teachers, real-context estimation problems can be used as an introduction to mathematical modeling. With this aim, we designed a two-phase activity: in the first phase, 224 prospective teachers developed individual action plans to solve a sequence of real-context estimation problems in the classroom; in the second phase, they completed the solution of the same problems working in groups in the real location where the four problems were contextualized. A comparative study showed that, in the second phase, prospective teachers were able to adapt their solutions to contextual features detected in situ that had not been anticipated in the action plans developed during the first phase. Two-phase modeling activities, which permit a comparison of different perspectives on problems, facilitate the experience of collaborative work. These activities could be incorporated into prospective teachers’ initial training as a useful resource for improving their problem-solving expertise.
期刊介绍:
The Journal of Mathematical Behavior solicits original research on the learning and teaching of mathematics. We are interested especially in basic research, research that aims to clarify, in detail and depth, how mathematical ideas develop in learners. Over three decades, our experience confirms a founding premise of this journal: that mathematical thinking, hence mathematics learning as a social enterprise, is special. It is special because mathematics is special, both logically and psychologically. Logically, through the way that mathematical ideas and methods have been built, refined and organized for centuries across a range of cultures; and psychologically, through the variety of ways people today, in many walks of life, make sense of mathematics, develop it, make it their own.