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Kaput Center Interdisciplinary Colloquium Series |
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| Category: | SEPPCE |
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| Date & Time: |
Wednesday, 11/07/2012 from 03:30 PM to 05:00 PM |
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| Location: | Kaput Center, 200 Mill Rd., Suite 150B, Fairhaven | |
| Admission: | Free! | |
| Sponsored by: | Kaput Center | |
| Contact: |
Lindsey Cabral stem@umassd.edu 508-910-9038 |
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| Description: |
Talk Title: Examining the Interactive Construction of Mathematical Authority during Algebra Students' Peer Discussions Speaker: Dr. Bill Zahner, Boston University, School of Education Abstract: Mathematics educators who seek to transform traditional patterns of teaching and learning propose shifting the locus of authority in classroom discussions. One oft cited method for transforming authority in math classes is the use of small group discussions. The commonsense notion is that during a group discussion, students are forced to come to consensus and negotiate mathematical authority without relying on the teacher and/or the text. For those who study mathematics learning, an additional challenge presented by group discussions is characterizing how students establish and maintain relations of authority during open-ended peer discussions. This presentation will (a) introduce a newly developed analytical tool for examining the co-construction of authority in students' mathematical discussions, and (b) show how this tool can illuminate group decision making processes during peer discussions of non-routine problems. This analytical tool was developed from constructs from functional linguistics and an ethnomethodological approach to studying talk in interaction. After introducing the tool, I illustrate how it can be used to characterize different constructions of mathematical authority by contrasting the problem solving discussions of two groups of students. Finally, I consider how the different construction of authority in each group may have afforded and constrained groups' problem solving success. Please RSVP to Lindsey Cabral (stem@umassd.edu, 508-910-9038) so we can anticipate numbers. All are welcome. |
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| Additional Info: | Kaput Center | |
