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Didactic Objects and Didactic Models in Radical Constructivism

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Symbolizing, Modeling and Tool Use in Mathematics Education

Part of the book series: Mathematics Education Library ((MELI,volume 30))

Abstract

This chapter discusses ways in which conceptual analyses of mathematical ideas from a radical constructivist perspective complement Realistic Mathematics Education’s attention to emergent models, symbolization, and participation in classroom practices. The discussion draws on examples from research in quantitative reasoning, in which radical constructivism serves as a background theory. The function of a background theory is to constrain ways in which issues are conceived and types of explanations one gives, and to frame one’s descriptions of what needs explaining.

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Thompson, P.W. (2002). Didactic Objects and Didactic Models in Radical Constructivism. In: Gravemeijer, K., Lehrer, R., Van Oers, B., Verschaffel, L. (eds) Symbolizing, Modeling and Tool Use in Mathematics Education. Mathematics Education Library, vol 30. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-017-3194-2_12

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-017-3194-2_12

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