Revisiting the didactic triangle: from the particular to the general
Published version of an article in the journal: ZDM. Also available from the publisher at: http://www.springerlink.com/content/61p78l089tnx8rn5/ The basic notion of a didactic triangle is explained with historical annotations on its origins and subsequent theorization in the literature. Instances of its application to classroom environments to demonstrate its representational capabilities are presented. Generalizations of the triangle are proposed that integrate the role of technology, the researcher in mathematics teaching developmental research, and mediating complexes in the student–teacher–content interfaces. Further, the use of the didactic triangle as a heuristic device is also discus…
Mediated action in teachers’ discussions about mathematics tasks
Published version of an article in the journal: ZDM. Also available from the publisher at: http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s11858-012-0423-0 This paper presents analyses of teachers’ discussions within mathematics teaching developmental research projects, taking mediation as the central construct. The relations in the so-called ‘didactic triangle’ form the basic framework for the analysis of two episodes in which upper secondary school teachers discuss and prepare tasks for classroom use. The analysis leads to the suggestion that the focus on tasks places an emphasis on the task as object and its resolution as goal; mathematics has the role of a mediating artefact. Subject content in the didactic…