Creative mathematical reasoning reinforced by retrieval practice
Two established concepts of learning are creative mathematical reasoning and retrieval practice. Both have individually been shown to have advantages for learning over other methods. In this project, the possibilities of combining these concepts are investigated and a basic assumption is that they are more effective together than individually.
Funding: 4,5 million
Start
2023-01-01
Planned completion
2025-12-31
Main financing
Collaboration partners
Project manager at MDU
Background
Creative mathematical reasoning means that when solving problems, students construct solution methods and formulate arguments for these and the plausibility of the solution. When solving mathematical problems where the solution method is not known, students need to use their prior knowledge. Cognitive research has shown that when retrieval of prior knowledge takes place through an active process, learning and memory are strengthened. This is called retrieval practice which is, instead of repetitive learning (e.g. reading a book chapter several times), students are given questions and tasks that mean they have to retrieve knowledge from memory. Other studies have shown that students who learn mathematics through creative reasoning remember better what they learned compared to students who learn through teachers or textbooks explations of the mathematics and follow instructions how to solve problems. This indicates that learning through reasoning and test-based learning overlap. Based on this, the objective of the project is to develop a teaching design that combines learning in mathematics through creative reasoning with retrieval practice.
Projektaktiviteter
The project is carried out through iterative interventions of planning, implementation and evaluation/analysis of the results of interventions. Teaching principles are continuously developed.
The project is carried out in collaboration with techers in everyday teaching.
Collaboration partners is Umeå University and Höganäs Municipality. External project memebers: Carina Granberg vid Umeå universitet och Denice D'Arcy i Höganäs kommun.
Aim and goal with the project
The overall aim is to develop a teaching design that engage students in learning mathematics through creative reasoning and test-based learning.
The objective of the project is to develop a teaching design that combines learning in mathematics through creative reasoning with retrieval practice.
