Techno-Mathematical Discourse: A Conceptual Framework for Analyzing Classroom Discussions

• Main Author: Katie L. Anderson-Pence
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI AG 2017-03-01
• Series: Education Sciences
• Subjects: virtual manipulatives; classroom discourse; technology education
• Online Access: http://www.mdpi.com/2227-7102/7/1/40

Extensive research has been published on the nature of classroom mathematical discourse and on the impact of technology tools, such as virtual manipulatives (VM), on students’ learning, while less research has focused on how technology tools facilitate that mathematical discourse. This paper presents an emerging construct, the Techno-Mathematical Discourse (TMD) framework, as a means for analyzing and interpreting aspects of learning when students use technological representations to mediate mathematical discussions. The framework focuses on three main components: classroom discourse, technology tools, and mathematical tasks. This paper examines each of these components, and then illustrates the framework using examples of students’ exchanges while interacting with virtual manipulatives. The TMD Framework has applications relevant to teachers, teacher educators, and researchers concerning how technology tools contribute to discourse in mathematics classrooms. The TMD framework addresses a critical issue in mathematics education, in that classroom teachers and researchers need to understand how technology facilitates classroom interactions and how to best leverage technology tools to enhance students’ learning of mathematics.