Commentary on Symbols and Mediation in Mathematics Education

Abstract

In this paper we discuss topics that are relevant for designing a theory of mathematics education. More precisely, they are elements of a pre-theory of math- ematics education and consist of a set of interdisciplinary ideas which may lead to understand what occurs in the central nervous system—our metaphor for the class- room, and eventually, in larger educational settings. In particular, we highlight the crucial role of representations, the mediation role of artifacts, symbols viewed from an evolutionary perspective, and mathematics as symbolic technology. Introduction