Understanding the Mathematical Way of Thinking – The Registers of Semiotic Representations


Book Description

In this book, Raymond Duval shows how his theory of registers of semiotic representation can be used as a tool to analyze the cognitive processes through which students develop mathematical thinking. To Duval, the analysis of mathematical knowledge is in its essence the analysis of the cognitive synergy between different kinds of semiotic representation registers, because the mathematical way of thinking and working is based on transformations of semiotic representations into others. Based on this assumption, he proposes the use of semiotics to identify and develop the specific cognitive processes required to the acquisition of mathematical knowledge. In this volume he presents a method to do so, addressing the following questions: • How to situate the registers of representation regarding the other semiotic “theories” • Why use a semio-cognitive analysis of the mathematical activity to teach mathematics • How to distinguish the different types of registers • How to organize learning tasks and activities which take into account the registers of representation • How to make an analysis of the students’ production in terms of registers Building upon the contributions he first presented in his classic book Sémiosis et pensée humaine, in this volume Duval focuses less on theoretical issues and more on how his theory can be used both as a tool for analysis and a working method to help mathematics teachers apply semiotics to their everyday work. He also dedicates a complete chapter to show how his theory can be applied as a new strategy to teach geometry. “Understanding the Mathematical Way of Thinking – The Registers of Semiotic Representations is an essential work for mathematics educators and mathematics teachers who look for an introduction to Raymond Duval’s cognitive theory of semiotic registers of representation, making it possible for them to see and teach mathematics with fresh eyes.” Professor Tânia M. M. Campos, PHD.




Innovating with Concept Mapping


Book Description

This book constitutes the refereed proceedings of the 7th International Conference on Concept Mapping, CMC 2016, held in Tallinn, Estonia, in September 2016. The 25 revised full papers presented were carefully reviewed and selected from 135 submissions. The papers address issues such as facilitation of learning; eliciting, capturing, archiving, and using “expert” knowledge; planning instruction; assessment of “deep” understandings; research planning; collaborative knowledge modeling; creation of “knowledge portfolios”; curriculum design; eLearning, and administrative and strategic planning and monitoring.




Understanding Children With Special Needs


Book Description

Originally published in 1989. This book is designed as an introduction to the field of special education for all those students and professionals - teachers, social workers, psychologists, medical officers, nurses, speech therapists and others - who encounter children with special needs. The authors first discuss current legislation in its historical context and draw attention to the major issues and controversies. They go on to analyse a variety of learning difficulties. Physical and sensory disabilities, emotional and behavioural problems, may all give rise to special educational needs. The book then considers how children's special needs may be met in terms of curriculum, resources and provisions. It concludes with some prognostications and a critical review of current practice.




The Taxonomy of Metacognition


Book Description

Metacognition is a complex construct which is fundamental to learning. Its complex, fuzzy and multifaceted nature has often led to its colloquial application in research, resulting in studies that fail to identify its theoretical foundation or elements. In response to this, the research community continues to call for a comprehensive understanding of the construct of metacognition. This book is a response to this call for clarity. Pina Tarricone provides a theoretical study of the construct of metacognition in terms of psychological theory. The first part of the book analyses the relationship between reflection and metacognition, and the second part goes on to analyse the construct of metamemory as the foundation of metacognition. The third and final part of the book analyses the construct of metacognition to present the final conceptual framework of metacognition and the taxonomy of metacognition. This framework builds a picture and a nexus of the construct through visual links to the related concepts that contribute to what is known as metacognition. The Taxonomy of Metacognition provides a comprehensive representation and categorisation of all of the terms, concepts, categories, supercategories, subcategories and elements of metacognition. It clarifies the construct so that researchers and teachers can develop a better understanding of it. This important and broad ranging contribution can be applied to many related areas, by researchers, psychologists, teachers and any profession interested in psychological learning processes.




Argumentation in Science Education


Book Description

Educational researchers are bound to see this as a timely work. It brings together the work of leading experts in argumentation in science education. It presents research combining theoretical and empirical perspectives relevant for secondary science classrooms. Since the 1990s, argumentation studies have increased at a rapid pace, from stray papers to a wealth of research exploring ever more sophisticated issues. It is this fact that makes this volume so crucial.




Conversations on Chemistry


Book Description

Bright, humorous and engaging, Marcet's best-selling 1805 book was designed to introduce women to scientific ideas.




Failing Gloriously and Other Essays


Book Description

Failing Gloriously and Other Essays documents Shawn Graham's odyssey through the digital humanities and digital archaeology against the backdrop of the 21st-century university. At turns hilarious, depressing, and inspiring, Graham's book presents a contemporary take on the academic memoir, but rather than celebrating the victories, he reflects on the failures and considers their impact on his intellectual and professional development. These aren't heroic tales of overcoming odds or paeans to failure as evidence for a macho willingness to take risks. They're honest lessons laced with a genuine humility that encourages us to think about making it safer for ourselves and others to fail.A foreword from Eric Kansa and an afterword by Neha Gupta engage the lessons of Failing Gloriously and consider the role of failure in digital archaeology, the humanities, and social sciences.