The Role of Context Expertise When Comparing Data
Author(s)
Langrall, Cynthia
Nisbet, Steven
Mooney, Edward
Jansem, Sinchai
Griffith University Author(s)
Year published
2011
Metadata
Show full item recordAbstract
Our research addresses the role that context expertise plays when students compare data. We report findings from a study conducted in 3 countries: Australia, United States, and Thailand. In each country, six middle school students analyzed authentic data relating to selected students' areas of interest. We examined the data analysis processes and discussion among students as each country cohort worked in two groups of three, where only one group included a student with particular expertise with the data context. We found that students used context knowledge to (a) bring new insight or additional information to the task, (b) ...
View more >Our research addresses the role that context expertise plays when students compare data. We report findings from a study conducted in 3 countries: Australia, United States, and Thailand. In each country, six middle school students analyzed authentic data relating to selected students' areas of interest. We examined the data analysis processes and discussion among students as each country cohort worked in two groups of three, where only one group included a student with particular expertise with the data context. We found that students used context knowledge to (a) bring new insight or additional information to the task, (b) explain the data, (c) provide justification or qualification for claims, (d) identify useful data for the task at hand, and (e) state facts that may enhance the picture of the data but are irrelevant to the process of analyzing the data. Implications for practice are discussed.
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View more >Our research addresses the role that context expertise plays when students compare data. We report findings from a study conducted in 3 countries: Australia, United States, and Thailand. In each country, six middle school students analyzed authentic data relating to selected students' areas of interest. We examined the data analysis processes and discussion among students as each country cohort worked in two groups of three, where only one group included a student with particular expertise with the data context. We found that students used context knowledge to (a) bring new insight or additional information to the task, (b) explain the data, (c) provide justification or qualification for claims, (d) identify useful data for the task at hand, and (e) state facts that may enhance the picture of the data but are irrelevant to the process of analyzing the data. Implications for practice are discussed.
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Journal Title
Mathematical Thinking and Learning
Volume
13
Issue
1
Subject
Mathematics and Numeracy Curriculum and Pedagogy
Curriculum and Pedagogy