The pragmatics of mathematics education : vagueness in mathematical discourse / Tim Rowland.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Rowland, Tim, 1945-

Series:

Studies in mathematics education series ; 14.

Studies in mathematics education series ; 14

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Mathematics--Study and teaching.

Mathematics.

Education.

Physical Description:

xiii, 250 p.

Edition:

1st ed.

Place of Publication:

New York : Falmer Press, 2000.

Language Note:

English

Summary:

In The Pragmatics of Mathematics Education, Tim Rowland examines students in the process of making and coming-to-know mathematics, focusing on the gap between conjecture and belief, between assertion and conviction.

Contents:

Cover

The Pragmatics of Mathematics Education: Vagueness in Mathematical Discourse

Copyright

Contents

List of Figures and Tables

Series Editor's Preface

Preface

Acknowledgments

1. Preview and Methodology

Two Principles

Aims and Themes

A Context in Language Research

Mathematical Conversations

Contrary Trends: Framing and Sample Size

Ethnography and Interpretation

Interpretation and Participant Observation

Summary

2. Generalization

Generalization and Inductive Reasoning

What Is Inductive Reasoning?

Induction and the Mind

Mathematical Heuristic

Truth and Conviction: the Theory of Numbers

Explanation and Proof: Generic Examples

Generic Examples and 'real' Undergraduate Mathematics

Recollection

3. Perspectives on Vagueness

Viewpoint: Mathematics and Mathematics Education

Interface: Mathematics and Language

Viewpoint: Philosophy of Language

Modality

Pragmatics and Vagueness

4. Discourse and Interpretation

Reference

Pronouns and Reference: Power and Solidarity

Some Approaches to Discourse

Overview: Approaches to Discourse

5. Pointing with Pronouns

The Informants

The Exclusive 'we'

'It'

On 'you' and Generalization

6. Hedges

Method

'Make Ten': Frances and Ishka

Hedge Types in Mathematics Talk

Hedges: the Taxonomy Revisited

Hedges and Politeness

The Zone of Conjectural Neutrality

7. Estimation and Uncertainty

Estimation

Counting

Enquiry Focus

Data

Observations

Interpretive Framework

Interpretation of the Data

Gender Differences

Modal Auxiliaries

Prosody

8. Pragmatics, Teaching and Learning

The Informal Research Group

Case 1: Hazel

Case 2: Ann

Case 3: Judith

Case 4: Rachel

Case 5: Sue.

Case 6: the Public Lecture

Case 7: Open University Video

Case 8: Jonathan

9. Summary and Review

Pronouns

Modality, Hedges and Indirect Speech Acts

Validation and Classroom Application

Interpretation of Transcripts of Mathematics Talk

Conclusion

Appendix 1: Transcript Conventions

Appendix 2: Index of Transcripts

References

Author Index

Subject Index.

Notes:

Bibliographic Level Mode of Issuance: Monograph

Includes bibliographical references and index.

ISBN:

1-135-69834-1

0-203-48763-X

1-280-04681-3

9786610046812

0-7507-1012-8

9780203487631

OCLC:

437084338