The overall problem that formed the basis for this thesis is that students get limited opportunity to develop their mathematical reasoning ability while, at the same time, there are dynamic mathematics software available which can be used to foster this ability. The aim of this thesis is to contribute to knowledge in this area by focusing on task design in a dynamic software environment and by studying the reasoning that emerges when students work on tasks in such an environment. To analyze students’ mathematical reasoning, a new analytical tool was developed in the form of an expanded version of Toulmin’s model.

Results from one of the studies in this thesis show that exploratory tasks in a dynamic software environment can promote mathematical reasoning in which claims are formulated, examined and refined in a cyclic process. However, this reasoning often displayed a lack of the more conceptual, analytic and explanatory reasoning normally associated with mathematics. This result was partly confirmed by another of the studies. Hence, one key question in the thesis has been how to design tasks that promote conceptual and explanatory reasoning. Two articles in the thesis deal with task design. One of them suggests a model for task design with a focus on exploration, explanation, and generalization. This model aims, first, to promote semantic proof production and then, after the proof has been constructed, to encourage further generalizations. The other article dealing with task design concerns the design of prediction tasks to foster student reasoning about exponential functions. The research process pinpointed key didactical variables that proved crucial in designing these tasks.

Mathematical reasoning has been identified as one of the key competencies needed to master mathematics. It is also well documented that dynamic mathematics software can be utilized to provide students with opportunities to practice different aspects of mathematical reasoning. In this study an expanded version of Toulmin’s model of argumentation was used to analyze the reasoning that emerged when three student pairs used GeoGebra to explore how the different parameters influence the graph of the function y = A sin (Bx + C) + D. Several characteristic features, both promising and cautionary, were discerned in the students’ reasoning.

There is a recognized need in mathematics teaching for new kinds of task which exploit the affordances provided by new technology. This paper focuses on the design of prediction tasks to foster student reasoning about exponential functions in a mathematics software environment. It draws on the first iteration of a design based research study conducted by the authors in collaboration with four upper secondary school teachers. A task sequence was trailed with four 10^th grade classes, involving a total of 85 students. The research process pinpointed key didactical variables that proved crucial in designing these tasks. As well as being useful in the task design process, the didactical variables were found to be valuable in the processes of analysis and revision. While the didactical variables identified a priori were informed by the research literature concerning reasoning and functions, those identified a posteriori deal mainly with scaffolding issues that emerged.  

Logic reasoning and communication are general competencies, important in all areas of mathematics. We think that one of the major advantages of GeoGebra is the possibility to create favorable learning situations for these competencies. We would like to investigate these possibilities. Our main interest is to find out how students use logic reasoning and how they communicate when they work in pairs with GeoGebra. We think that investigating the validity of certain geometrical statements is a kind of task appropriate for this purpose

Research points out the importance of following up students’ work on computerbasedtasks with whole-class discussions in which students play a central role.However, at the same time, research highlights the challenge for teachers in orchestratingsuch follow-up discussions. This paper examines whether an establishedmodel developed as guidance for teachers to orchestrate mathematical whole-classdiscussions (Stein, Engle, Smith & Hughes, 2008) could be useful in this educationalsetting. Students’ written responses to two different tasks are the main data used toexamine the model. The results indicate that the model has great potential to guidethese follow-up discussions

This paper reports on a pilot study with the focus on (re)design of a digitized task environment utilizing two types of technology – a dynamic mathematics software and a computer-aided assessment system. The data consist of responses from 256 first year engineering students, taking their first Calculus course, on two different types of task. The results are discussed in relation to (re)design of tasks as well as possible feedback design options to enable a formative assessment approach.

In the poster, we will present a planned study focusing on the design of DMS tasks and elaborated feedback within a CAA system. The study will be conducted in a first year engineering mathematics course during autumn 2020.

In recent decades, there has been rapid development in digital technologies for automated assessment. Through enhanced possibilities in terms of algorithms, grading codes, adaptivity, and feedback, they are suitable for formative assessment. There is a need to develop computer-aided assessment (CAA) tasks that target higher-order mathematical skills to ensure a balanced assessment approach beyond basic procedural skills. To address this issue, research suggests the approach of asking students to generate examples. This study focuses on an example-generation task on polynomial function understanding, proposed to 205 first-year engineering students in Sweden and 111 first-year biotechnology students in Italy. Students were encouraged to collaborate in small groups, but individual elements within the tasks required each group member to provide individual answers. Students’ responses kept in the CAA system were qualitatively analyzed to understand the effectiveness of the task in extending the students’ example space in diverse educational contexts. The findings indicate a difference in students’ example spaces when performing the task between the two educational contexts. The results suggest key strengths and possible improvements to the task design. 

The increasing availability of new technologies in schools provides new possibilities

for the integration of technology in mathematics education. However, research

has shown that there is a need for new kinds of task that utilize the affordances provided by

new technology. Numerous studies have demonstrated that dynamic geometry environments

provide opportunities for students to engage in mathematical activities such as

exploration, conjecturing, explanation, and generalization. This paper presents a model for

design of tasks that promote these kinds of mathematical activity, especially tasks that

foster students to make generalizations. This model has been primarily developed to suit

the use of dynamic environments in tackling geometrical locus problems. The model was

initially constructed in the light of previous literature. This initial model was used to design

a concrete example of such a task situation which was tested in action through a case study

with two doctoral students. Findings from this case study were used to guide revision of the

initial model.

This paper reports a study of teachers’ use of Connected classroom technology to prepare for whole-class discussions building on students’ computer-based work in mathematics. The study investigates four upper secondary school teachers’ management of time and progression during the phase of the lesson where students are working in pairs. The findings highlight various didactical choices made by the teachers. These choices and some related challenges are discussed

This paper provides some insights into the use of example-generating tasks in the design of a technology-rich learning environment to enhance students’ mathematical thinking. The paper reports on an early stage of a design-based research project concerning the design of tasks and associated feedback utilising the affordances provided by a combined use of a dynamic mathematics software environment and a computer-aided assessment system. In example-generating tasks, students are asked to generate examples that fulfil certain conditions. Based on data in terms of examples generated by 491 first-year engineering students, taking a first course in calculus, the paper examines patterns of student response to three example-generating tasks. As a theoretical lens, the notions of dimensions of possible variation and associated ranges of permissible change are used. In light of the observed patterns, the paper provides some guiding principles for designing example-generating tasks and associated formative feedback to foster students’ mathematical understanding by enriching their example spaces. For example, this paper illustrates occasions where it might be instructive to start by asking for two examples, followed by adapted feedback before requesting a third example.

Based on the patterns of response to an example-generating task, this paper provides suggestions onhow the task could be redesigned to enrich students’ example spaces in relation to the key ideasaddressed by the task. The participants are 236 first-year engineering students

Task design is a central issue in mathematics education, not least in relation to digital technology. This paper reports how a smal lbut significant change in wording affects students’ explanatory responses. The study is comparative and involves 229 10th grade students working on tasks designed for a dynamic mathematics software environment. The findings indicate that inclusion of the word ‘mathematical’ prompted students to use algebraic symbols and algebraic arguments, to a higher degree.

This paper reports on the planning of a pilot study where the aim is to develop and investigate teaching practices, using connected classroom technology (CCT), to support formative classroom practices in mathematics. The focus is on the design of a teaching unit including a whole-class discussion drawing on students’ computer-based work. The paper outlines both generic and topicspecific theories underpinning the design. Moreover, findings from a previous study, in terms of student responses to a task developed for a dynamic mathematics software environment, are used in the planning. One important issue addressed in this paper is the sequencing of student responses to display and use as a basis for whole-class discussions.

This paper reports a study of four upper secondary school teachers’ use of Connected Classroom Technology to select student responses to computer-based activities, and to use these responses to launch successive stages of a planned whole-class discussion. Although the preparation for the class discussion was quite successful, it was a challenge for the teachers to conduct the whole-class discussion, particularly in posing specific questions based on appropriate student responses.

This paper reports on the planning of a design-based research (DBR) study, where the main aim is to develop principles in designing technology-enhanced learning environment utilizing a combination of a dynamic mathematics software (DMS) and a computer-aided assessment (CAA) system. The focus is on the design of tasks and automated feedback of high quality so as to enhance first year engineering students’ engagement in and conceptual understanding of mathematical contents. The paper outlines the rationale for the project and highlights theoretical aspects that will be considered in the study. Moreover, some findings from a pilot study that will inform the first cycle of the DBR study are presented.