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The intangible task: a revelatory case of teaching mathematical thinking in Japanese elementary schools

  • Klaus Rasmussen
  • , Masami Isoda
    • University of Tsukuba

    Research output: Contribution to journalJournal articleResearchpeer-review

    Abstract

    This paper deals with the nature of teaching mathematical thinking and presents a case study of a single Japanese lesson where the characteristics of mathematical thinking and the teaching thereof are identified in relation to multiplication. The raison d’être for this teaching is questioned and investigated by looking at how multiplication is described in the curriculum and representative textbook material. It is seen how Japanese teachers are institutionally conditioned to incorporate mathematical thinking in the context of multiplication, something which may appear in contrast to other countries. The lesson is analysed using the notion of praxeologies and didactic co-determination conceptualised in the Anthropological Theory of the Didactic.
    Original languageEnglish
    JournalResearch in Mathematics Education
    Volume21
    Issue number1
    Pages (from-to)43-59
    Number of pages17
    ISSN1479-4802
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - 2 Jan 2019

    Keywords

    • schools, courses and institutions
    • Mathematical thinking
    • didactic co-determination
    • elementary school
    • multiplication
    • teacher tasks

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