Characterizing Tasks for Teaching Mathematics in Dynamic Geometry System and Modelling Environments

Abstract

With an empirical study, we explore the process of designing modeling tasks for teaching mathematics in a Dynamic Geometry environment. We address the research questions: What are the characteristics of the tasks that pre-service teachers design to teach mathematics in digital and modeling environments? What are the activities like that these tasks encourage in students? By means of a qualitative methodology, we characterize the tasks designed by secondary pre-service mathematics teachers and identify the activities that these tasks encourage in students. By analyzing the process of designing and planning a class, we can determine how the characteristics of the modeling tasks are modified based on the software used. In this context, the software also acts as a medium that reflects aspects of the models involved, the objectives of the tasks, and the activities intended for the students. The results contribute to the discussion regarding task design, where technology is a means of supporting the exploration, understanding, and study of different phenomena.