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ERIC Number: EJ970824
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2012-Sep
Pages: 13
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0732-3123
EISSN: N/A
Metaphor as a Possible Pathway to More Formal Understanding of the Definition of Sequence Convergence
Dawkins, Paul Christian
Journal of Mathematical Behavior, v31 n3 p331-343 Sep 2012
This study presents how the introduction of a metaphor for sequence convergence constituted an experientially real context in which an undergraduate real analysis student developed a property-based definition of sequence convergence. I use elements from Zandieh and Rasmussen's (2010) Defining as a Mathematical Activity framework to trace the transformation of the student's conception from a non-standard, personal concept definition rooted in the metaphor to a concept definition for sequence convergence compatible with the standard definition. This account of the development of the definition of sequence convergence differs from prior research in the sense that it began neither with examples or visual notions, nor with the statement of the formal definition. This study contributes to the Realistic Mathematics Education literature as it documents a student's progression through the definition-of and definition-for stages of mathematical activity in an interactive lecture classroom context. (Contains 4 figures and 2 tables.)
Elsevier. 6277 Sea Harbor Drive, Orlando, FL 32887-4800. Tel: 877-839-7126; Tel: 407-345-4020; Fax: 407-363-1354; e-mail: usjcs@elsevier.com; Web site: http://bibliotheek.ehb.be:2131
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Higher Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A