ERIC Number: ED658413
Record Type: Non-Journal
Publication Date: 2023
Pages: 10
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: N/A
EISSN: N/A
What Is a Unit? Broadening Units Coordination
Karen Zwanch; Sarah Kerrigan
North American Chapter of the International Group for the Psychology of Mathematics Education, Paper presented at the Annual Meeting of the North American Chapter of the International Group for the Psychology of Mathematics Education (45th, Reno, NV, Oct 1-4, 2023)
Units coordination, defined by Steffe (1992) as the mental distribution of one composite unit (i.e., a unit of units) "over the elements of another composite unit" (p. 264) is a powerful tool for modeling students' mathematical thinking in the context of whole number and fractional reasoning. This paper proposes extending the idea of a numerical unit to an algebraic unit and a covariational unit. Evidence to support this extension is taken from two qualitative studies conducted with middle-grades students. Results suggest the coordination of two unknowns in algebraic contexts is limited for students who assimilate with composite units. Additionally, in the context of covariational reasoning, results describe a new partitioned unit that students who assimilate with composite units may apply. Implications for engaging all learners are discussed. [For the complete proceedings, see ED658295.]
Descriptors: Middle School Mathematics, Middle School Students, Algebra, Mathematics Skills, Thinking Skills, Mathematical Concepts, Abstract Reasoning, Geometry, Computation
North American Chapter of the International Group for the Psychology of Mathematics Education. e-mail: pmena.steeringcommittee@gmail.com; Web site: http://www.pmena.org/
Publication Type: Speeches/Meeting Papers; Reports - Research
Education Level: Junior High Schools; Middle Schools; Secondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A