Religious Participation and Mathematical Problem-Solving Strategies

• In Event: Poster Session 6
  In Poster Session: Learning Sciences SIG Poster Session

Abstract

This study examines problem-solving of 30 children from a tithing (giving 10% of earnings to their church) religious community. When children were presented mathematical tasks in a school-like context verses a church context, they used different mathematical strategies as a function of context and problem type. Further, parent interviews and observations documented children’s level of participation in tithing. Children with greater participation in tithing utilized different strategies than low participation children, and experienced greater success with their strategies on particular tasks. This work is an effort to better understand the role of cultural practices and social context in children’s learning of mathematics, particularly in their use of mathematical strategies presented in multiple problem contexts.

Authors

• Edd V. Taylor, University of Colorado - Boulder

• Tracy Dobie, Northwestern University