Multiple Representations of Mathematical Reasoning

David J. McArthur, Christopher Burdorf, Tor Ormseth, Abby Robyn, Cathleen Stasz

Published 1988

Multiple alternative representations of mathematical reasoning have interesting applications in the context of an intelligent tutor for basic algebra. This Note describes the notion of multiple representations at a general level. It then describes RAND's intelligent algebra tutor and specific tools it contains that support multiple representations: a boxes-and-weights tool and goal commands. These tools provide students with important learning opportunities. The Note concludes with comments about continuing research in this area. It is important to continue implementing different representational systems and testing them in real educational contexts. In addition, theoretical work must be directed toward deriving a general classification scheme for representations.

Document Details

  • Copyright: RAND Corporation
  • Availability: Web Only
  • Year: 1988
  • Pages: 26
  • Document Number: N-2758-NSF/RC

Citation

Chicago Manual of Style

McArthur, David J., Christopher Burdorf, Tor Ormseth, Abby Robyn, and Cathleen Stasz, Multiple Representations of Mathematical Reasoning. Santa Monica, CA: RAND Corporation, 1988. https://www.rand.org/pubs/notes/N2758.html.
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