Empirically-based hypothetical learning trajectories for fraction concepts: Products of the Learning Through Activity research program

The Measurement Approach to Rational Number (MARN) Project, a project of the ongoing Learning Through Activity (LTA) research program, produced eleven hypothetical learning trajectories (HLTs) for promoting fraction concepts. Four of these HLTs are the subject of research reports. In this article, we present the other seven HLTs We judged that the data and analyses of these seven would not separately make sufficient contributions to merit individual research reports. However, presenting these seven HLTs together was intended to meet the following goals:1. To give a broad set of examples of HLTs developed based on the LTA theoretical framework.2. To complete a set of HLTs that provide a comprehensive example of HLTs built on prior HLTs.3. To make available for future research and development the full set of HLTs generated by the MARN Project.LTA researchers have focused on how learners abstract a concept through their mathematical activity and how the abstractions can be promoted. The MARN Project continued this inquiry with rigorous single-subject teaching experiments.     

Fostering construction of a meaning for multiplication that subsumes whole-number and fraction multiplication: A study of the Learning Through Activity research program

We report on a teaching experiment intended to foster a concept of multiplication that would both subsume students’ multiple-groups concept of whole number multiplication and provide a conceptual basis for understanding multiplication of fractions. The teaching experiment, which used a rigorous single-subject methodology, began with an attempt to build on students’ multiple-groups concept by promoting generalizing assimilation. This was not totally successful and led to a redesign aimed at promoting reflective abstraction. Analysis of this latter phase led to several significant conclusions, which in turn led to a revised hypothetical learning trajectory. The revised trajectory aims to foster a concept of multiplication as a change in units.     

Promoting a concept of fraction-as-measure: A study of the Learning Through Activity research program

Promoting deep understanding of fraction concepts continues to be a challenge for mathematics education. Research has demonstrated that students whose concept of fractions is limited to part-whole have difficulty with advanced fraction concepts. We conducted teaching experiments to study how students can develop a measurement concept of fractions and how task sequences can be developed to promote the necessary abstractions. Building particularly on the work of Steffe and colleagues and aspects of the Elkonin-Davydov curriculum, we focused on fostering student reinvention of a measurement concept of fractions. As a study of the Learning Through Activity research program, our goal was to promote particular activity on the part of the students through which they could abstract the necessary concepts.     

Further elaboration of the Learning Through Activity research program

This article was prompted by the thoughtful commentaries of Norton, Tzur, and Dreyfus. Their commentaries pointed out important ideas that were left implicit or only partially explained. The clarifications made here include how the Learning Through Activity (LTA) research program differs from related research programs, the relation of the LTA theoretical framework to scheme theory, our choice to not employ the construct of perturbation in explaining learning, and the structure of hypothetical learning trajectories. In addition, I discuss a type of mathematical concept that we have not discussed previously.     

Towards an integrated theory of mathematics conceptual learning and instructional design: The Learning Through Activity theoretical framework

We discuss the theoretical framework of the Learning Through Activity research program. The framework includes an elaboration of the construct of mathematical concept, an elaboration of Piaget’s reflective abstraction for the purpose of mathematics pedagogy, further development of a distinction between two stages of conceptual learning, and a typology of different reverse concepts. The framework also involves instructional design principles built on those constructs, including steps for the design of task sequences, development of guided reinvention, and ways of promoting reversibility of concepts. This article represents both a synthesis of prior work and additions to it.     

Promoting reinvention of a multiplication-of-fractions algorithm: A study of the Learning Through Activity research program

Whereas proficiency in performing the canonic multiplication-of-fractions algorithm is common, understanding of the algorithm is much less so. We conducted a teaching experiment with a fifth-grade student, based on an initial hypothetical learning trajectory (HLT), to promote reinvention of the multiplication-of-fractions algorithm. The instructional intervention built on two concepts, recursive partitioning and distributive partitioning. As a study of the Learning Through Activity research program, our goal was to promote particular activity on the part of the student through which she could abstract the necessary concepts. The results of the teaching experiment were analyzed and, based on conclusions from the research, a revised HLT was generated. Recursive partitioning and distributive partitioning proved to be a strong foundation for construction of the algorithm.     

Learning trajectory of a student with learning disabilities for the concept of length: A teaching experiment

This study aims to map the learning trajectory (LT) of a student with learning disabilities (LDs) regarding the unit concept in length measurement and the usage of rulers. The article draws on data from a teaching experiment with a 10-year-old student with LDs in Turkey. Data were analyzed in two stages, including microanalysis, where each successive teaching session was separately analyzed, and macroanalysis, where the teaching sessions regarding interrelated instructional goals were analyzed to construct the LT. The main findings of the study illustrate that this student with LDs eliminated her misconceptions about the unit concept and using a ruler, accomplished the determined instructional goals to a large extent, and reached a higher level of thinking with a 4-month teaching experiment designed based on her specific developmental capacity.