PERC 2009 Abstract Detail Page
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Abstract Title: | Modeling the Creation of Procedural Resources |
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Abstract: | A problem in resource theory is to describe the creation of new, high-level resources. We give an example of resource creation by analyzing four student groups separating variables in a group quiz setting. The task was to solve an air resistance problem with uncommon initial conditions. The fluency of each group is described by three observables: use of overt mathematical language (such as divide, subtract, or equals), use of covert mathematical language (such as moving, bringing, or pulling over), and use of accompanying gestures (such as circling, grabbing, or sliding). For each group, the type of language and gesture used corresponds to how easily they carry out separation of variables. We create resource graphs [1,2] for each group to organize our observations and use these graphs to describe a potential reification process [3] for the procedural resources grouping and separate variables. [1] Wittmann, 2006 [2] Black, Wittmann, 2007 [3] Sfard, 1991 |
Abstract Type: | Contributed Poster |
Author/Organizer Information | |
Primary Contact: |
Katrina Black University of Maine 120 Bennett Hall Department of Physics and Astronomy Orono, ME 04469 Phone: 207 581 1010 |
Co-Author(s) and Co-Presenter(s) |
Michael Wittmann, University of Maine |