The Importance of Seeing in Mathematics Communication

• Main Authors: Isabel Vale, Ana Barbosa
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: European Teacher Education Network 2017-12-01
• Series: JETEN
• Subjects: teacher training; mathematical communication; visual context
• Online Access: https://etenjournal.com/2020/02/07/the-importance-of-seeing-in-mathematics-communication/

This paper discusses the difficulties, reactions and conceptions of future teachers in relation to tasks that privilege different forms of communication in visual contexts. The tasks proposed focus on seeing the information directly or listening to the information without seeing. This research is of qualitative nature and was developed with forty-five future teachers of basic education. Data emerged from classroom observations, a questionnaire, written productions and photographic registers of students solving the tasks. The results show that students reacted positively to the proposed tasks, manifesting interest and motivation despite of some difficulties revealed in communication. They recognized the potential of the tasks to develop/improve mathematical knowledge.