Understanding in mathematics / Anna Sierpinska.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Sierpinska, Anna.

Series:

Studies in mathematics education series ; 2.

Studies in mathematics education series ; 2

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Mathematics--Study and teaching--Psychology.

Mathematics.

Comprehension.

Education--Curricula.

Education.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (206 p.)

Edition:

1st ed.

Place of Publication:

London ; Washington, D.C. : Falmer, 1994.

Language Note:

English

Summary:

The concept of understanding in mathematics with regard to mathematics education is considered in this volume. The main problem for mathematics teachers being how to facilitate their students' understanding of the mathematics being taught. In combining elements of maths, philosophy, logic, linguistics and the psychology of maths education from her own and European research, Dr Sierpinska considers the contributions of the social and cultural contexts to understanding. The outcome is an insight into both mathematics and understanding.

Contents:

Cover; Understanding in Mathematics; Copyright; Contents; List of Figures; Acknowledgments; Preface by Series Editor; Introduction; Chapter 1 Understanding and Meaning; Understanding; Meaning; Chapter 2 Components and Conditions of an Act of Understanding; What Could Be an Act of Understanding?; Components of an Act of Understanding; Psychological Conditions of an Act of Understanding; Social Conditions of an Act of Understanding; What Understanding Is Not; Chapter 3 Processes of Understanding; The Process of Understanding; Reasonings; Explanation and Understanding

The Role of Example and the Medium in Which It Is Presented for UnderstandingThe Role of Activity in Understanding; The Question of Continuity of the Processes of Understanding; Chapter 4 Good Understanding; The Relativity of 'Good Understanding'; Various Approaches to Research on Understanding in Mathematics Education; Models of Understanding; The Historico-empirical Approach to Understanding in Mathematics; 'Good Understanding' in the Historico-empirical Approach: Significant Acts of Understanding; The Philosophy of Epistemological Obstacles

Epistemological Obstacles in Mathematics: The Case of the Bolzano TheoremThe Notion of Epistemological Obstacle as a Category of Thought in Mathematics Education; Problems of Definition; Chapter 5 Developmental and Cultural Constraints of Understanding; The Relationship Between Development and Culture; The Genesis of Understanding and the Developmental Roots of Epistemological Obstacles; The Cultural Roots of Epistemological Obstacles; References; Index

Notes:

Description based upon print version of record.

Includes bibliographical references (p. 170-182) and index.

Description based on metadata supplied by the publisher and other sources.

ISBN:

1-135-71632-3

0-203-26159-3

0-203-45418-9

1-135-71633-1

1-280-05724-6

9786610057245

9780203454183

OCLC:

826856167