"Artichokes Even Look Intimidating": Exploring Student Views of Mathematics Through Metaphor

• In Event: Roundtable Session 47
  In Roundtable Session: Secondary and Postsecondary Mathematics Conceptions and Understanding

Abstract

We review our use of a metaphor to elicit student dispositions toward mathematics. The limitations of quantitative measures to capture similar information is discussed along with examples of constructs revealed in these metaphors that were not present in our quantitative data. In particular, we examine participants’ use of contrasts and concepts like “rewarding” or “boring” as they relate to traditionally used continuums in researching student views of mathematics. We apply this qualitative method with the goal of developing an intervention to increase retention of underrepresented groups in the calculus sequence.

Authors

• Susan D. Nickerson, San Diego State University

• Kaitlin Bjorkman, San Diego State University

• Lynda Wynn, San Diego State University

• David Marx

• Sei Jin Ko