Fractions - Session 2: Understanding and using representations of fractions

Part 2: The importance of representations in mathematics and mathematics teaching

video of math teacher

Overview

This part elaborates why representations are foundational to both mathematics and mathematics teaching.

Key Points

  • Representations are mathematics content. Representing mathematical ideas is a practice that students need to learn.
  • Representations provide tools for working on mathematics and contribute to the development of new mathematical knowledge.
  • Representations support communication about mathematics.
  • Using multiple representations can help develop understanding and support the diverse needs of students.

Menu

  • DTE Home
  • Fractions Home
  • Sessions
    • Session 1: Studying mathematics teaching with a focus on fractions
    • Session 2: Understanding and using representations of fractions
    • Session 3: Connecting representations and developing a working definition of a fraction
    • Session 4: Using the number line
    • Session 5: Narrating representations and analyzing tasks
    • Session 6: Using public recording space
    • Session 7: Studying how tasks and public recording space support mathematics teaching
    • Session 8: Supporting students' narrations; and using a 'public-recording-space checklist'
    • Session 9: Investigating strategies for comparing fractions
    • Session 10: Supporting students’ understanding and use of representations shared by classmates

Get in touch

  • [email protected]
  • University of Michigan
    School of Education
    610 E. University Avenue, Suite 1600
    Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109-1259

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