Building a constructivist social learning environment through talk in the mathematics classroom

Authors

  • Esin Acar Adnan Menderes University Faculty of Education
  • Ayşen Yılmaz Adnan Menderes University Faculty of Education

Keywords:

Talk in math learning, Group discussion in math learning, Constructivist learning environment, Small group work, Elementary math

Abstract

This study aimed to create a constructivist learning environment wherein third grade students talk to problem solve, which is different from traditional approaches to math learning. The study focused on the group talk and discussions to understand the students’ actions and interactions during the process of problem solving. Fifteen students and their teacher participated in the study, which was conducted within a collaborative action study design. Different types of problems were constructed including addition, subtraction, multiplication and division. Students were divided into four groups and observed for four weeks as they solved the different types of problems through group discussion. In the study, it was observed that the students who took leadership roles in the groups during the problem solving activities lead discussions. Additionally, the study found that the students, who could not solve the problems individually, were able to contribute more to the problem solving activity in the group works.

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Author Biographies

Esin Acar, Adnan Menderes University Faculty of Education

Department of Elementary Education 

Ayşen Yılmaz, Adnan Menderes University Faculty of Education

Department of Elementary Education 

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Published

2015-03-26

How to Cite

Acar, E., & Yılmaz, A. (2015). Building a constructivist social learning environment through talk in the mathematics classroom. Journal of Human Sciences, 12(1), 991–1015. Retrieved from https://www.j-humansciences.com/ojs/index.php/IJHS/article/view/3123

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Section

Curriculum Development and Teaching-Learning in Education