Fallacious argumentation in student reasoning: Are there benefits?
Journal Title: European Journal of Science and Mathematics Education - Year 2014, Vol 2, Issue 1
Abstract
This article reports on an analysis of episodes of invalid or controversial arguments that occurred while two different groups of students worked on similar fraction tasks and examine the role that these types of arguments played in the development of students' reasoning. One group consisted of suburban, middle-class, fourth graders who worked on these tasks during the regular school day. The other group was comprised of sixth-graders from an urban community working on similar tasks as part of an informal learning after-school project. The findings of this study indicate that allowing students to share and discuss incorrect arguments promoted rich mathematical discourse and argumentation. The invalid arguments triggered the use of varied reasoning by other students and cleared up previous [mis]understandings.
Authors and Affiliations
Mary Mueller| Educational Studies, Seton Hall University, South Orange , USA, For correspondence: muellermf@shu.edu, Dina Yankelewitz *| Childhood Education, Mercy College, Dobbs Ferry, USA
Keywords
Related Articles
- EP ID EP8031
- DOI -
- Views 458
- Downloads 27
Animation model to conceptualize ATP generation: a mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation
Adenosine triphosphate (ATP) is the molecular unit of intracellular energy and it is the product of oxidative phosphorylation of cellular respiration uses in cellular processes. The study explores the growth of the misc...
A physics laboratory course designed using problem-based learning for prospective physics teachers
In general, laboratories are exercises with a primary focus on the verification of established laws and principles, or on the discovery of objectively knowable facts. In laboratories, students gather data without compre...
Modeling the stress complexities of teaching and learning of school physics in Nigeria
This study was designed to investigate the validity of the stress complexity model (SCM) to teaching and learning of school physics in Abuja municipal area council of Abuja, North. About two hundred students were randoml...
Proof construction and evaluation practices of prospective mathematics educators
This study was conducted with 93 freshmen and 82 senior prospective mathematicians and mathematics teachers in order to investigate how they construct and evaluate proofs and whether there are any significant differences...
Geometric error analysis in applied calculus problem solving
The paper investigates geometric errors students made as they tried to use their basic geometric knowledge in the solution of the Applied Calculus Optimization Problem (ACOP). Inaccuracies related to the drawing of geome...