Skip to main content

Lund University Publications

LUND UNIVERSITY LIBRARIES

Mathematics Communication within the Frame of Supplemental Instruction : Identifying Learning Conditions

Holm, Annalena LU (2014)
Abstract
In the Swedish context teaching at primary and secondary school is combined

with collaborative exercises in a variety of subjects. These collaborative moments

can be in the form of mini projects that groups of students are supposed to present

to the classmates when fulfilled. A collaborative moment may also be an exercise

that the students solve together. The main idea is thus that the students learn

together.

One method for students’ learning together is Supplemental instruction or SI. SI is

a complement to regular teaching where students are provided peer collaborative

learning exercises. The method is being used at university level in many countries,

e.g.... (More)
In the Swedish context teaching at primary and secondary school is combined

with collaborative exercises in a variety of subjects. These collaborative moments

can be in the form of mini projects that groups of students are supposed to present

to the classmates when fulfilled. A collaborative moment may also be an exercise

that the students solve together. The main idea is thus that the students learn

together.

One method for students’ learning together is Supplemental instruction or SI. SI is

a complement to regular teaching where students are provided peer collaborative

learning exercises. The method is being used at university level in many countries,

e.g. Canada, USA, Australia and Great Britain. To strengthen students’

knowledge in mathematics, a couple of schools in Sweden have introduced SI.

Such an extra effort with problem solving and mathematics communication is in

line with the new Swedish mathematics curriculum.

Collaborative exercises in school may lead to enhanced learning among the

students, but collaborative work may also lead in the opposite direction. As

collaboration is widely used in schools in Sweden it is important to investigate

what conditions in the classroom can lead to learning during collaborative work.

Thus, this study examined five SI-groups at two Swedish upper secondary schools.

The groups were observed and videotaped repeatedly. The analyses of the

observations aimed at identifying conditions leading to observable learning

outcome at students’ mathematics discussions.

In order to achieve this an analysis strategy was needed which led to a second aim,

i.e. formulating a useful analysis strategy that built on existing theoretical

frameworks. Two well tested frameworks were used: the SOLO-taxonomy

(Structure of the Observed Learning Outcome) and the ATD-praxeology

(Anthropological Theory of Didactics).

The analysis showed that learning outcomes in the discussions were indeed

facilitated by the SI-leaders’ guidance. In addition the results indicate that

6

carefully chosen exercises, as well as careful organisation of the SI-sessions, can

lead to a higher level learning outcome. The study also showed that the chosen

analysis strategy with well tested frameworks was successful. The findings can be

used both for future research and for development of collaborative learning. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
supervisor
organization
publishing date
type
Thesis
publication status
published
subject
keywords
ATD: Anthropological Theory of Didactics, upper secondary school, Supplemental instruction, learning conditions, SOLO: Structure of the Observed Learning Outcome, Fysicumarkivet A:2014:Holm
categories
Higher Education
pages
108 pages
language
English
LU publication?
yes
additional info
Opponent: Dra Marianna Bosch The information about affiliations in this record was updated in December 2015. The record was previously connected to the following departments: Physics, science (011013100)
id
0660cf8f-89bb-4ddb-8521-4ba46f0b43c7 (old id 4697712)
date added to LUP
2016-04-04 13:17:31
date last changed
2018-11-21 21:13:04
@misc{0660cf8f-89bb-4ddb-8521-4ba46f0b43c7,
  abstract     = {{In the Swedish context teaching at primary and secondary school is combined<br/><br>
with collaborative exercises in a variety of subjects. These collaborative moments<br/><br>
can be in the form of mini projects that groups of students are supposed to present<br/><br>
to the classmates when fulfilled. A collaborative moment may also be an exercise<br/><br>
that the students solve together. The main idea is thus that the students learn<br/><br>
together.<br/><br>
One method for students’ learning together is Supplemental instruction or SI. SI is<br/><br>
a complement to regular teaching where students are provided peer collaborative<br/><br>
learning exercises. The method is being used at university level in many countries,<br/><br>
e.g. Canada, USA, Australia and Great Britain. To strengthen students’<br/><br>
knowledge in mathematics, a couple of schools in Sweden have introduced SI.<br/><br>
Such an extra effort with problem solving and mathematics communication is in<br/><br>
line with the new Swedish mathematics curriculum.<br/><br>
Collaborative exercises in school may lead to enhanced learning among the<br/><br>
students, but collaborative work may also lead in the opposite direction. As<br/><br>
collaboration is widely used in schools in Sweden it is important to investigate<br/><br>
what conditions in the classroom can lead to learning during collaborative work.<br/><br>
Thus, this study examined five SI-groups at two Swedish upper secondary schools.<br/><br>
The groups were observed and videotaped repeatedly. The analyses of the<br/><br>
observations aimed at identifying conditions leading to observable learning<br/><br>
outcome at students’ mathematics discussions.<br/><br>
In order to achieve this an analysis strategy was needed which led to a second aim,<br/><br>
i.e. formulating a useful analysis strategy that built on existing theoretical<br/><br>
frameworks. Two well tested frameworks were used: the SOLO-taxonomy<br/><br>
(Structure of the Observed Learning Outcome) and the ATD-praxeology<br/><br>
(Anthropological Theory of Didactics).<br/><br>
The analysis showed that learning outcomes in the discussions were indeed<br/><br>
facilitated by the SI-leaders’ guidance. In addition the results indicate that<br/><br>
6<br/><br>
carefully chosen exercises, as well as careful organisation of the SI-sessions, can<br/><br>
lead to a higher level learning outcome. The study also showed that the chosen<br/><br>
analysis strategy with well tested frameworks was successful. The findings can be<br/><br>
used both for future research and for development of collaborative learning.}},
  author       = {{Holm, Annalena}},
  keywords     = {{ATD: Anthropological Theory of Didactics; upper secondary school; Supplemental instruction; learning conditions; SOLO: Structure of the Observed Learning Outcome; Fysicumarkivet A:2014:Holm}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  note         = {{Licentiate Thesis}},
  title        = {{Mathematics Communication within the Frame of Supplemental Instruction : Identifying Learning Conditions}},
  url          = {{https://lup.lub.lu.se/search/files/6085406/4697718.pdf}},
  year         = {{2014}},
}