Generating Worthwhile Mathematical Tasks in Order to Sustain and Develop Mathematical Thinking

John Mason
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John Mason: School of Mathematics & Statistics, Open University, Milton Keynes MK7 6AA, UK

Sustainability, 2020, vol. 12, issue 14, 1-12

Abstract: Making use of a phenomenological stance which first and foremost values the lived experience of learners, six tasks are used to illustrate what it might mean for a mathematical task to be deemed worthy of being offered to learners. These take the form of encounters with, and opportunities to develop, pervasive mathematical themes, use of mathematical powers and experience of mathematical concepts and topics. Comments about how worthwhile mathematical tasks can evolve centre around developing the propensity, the habit of mind to extend, vary and generalise for oneself. Mathematical thinking is sustained by developing this disposition.

Keywords: phenomenological; task design; natural powers; mathematical themes; sustaining mathematical thinking (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
References: View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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