A Qualitative Study of the Use of Content-Related Comics to Promote Student Participation in Mathematical Discourse in a Math I Support Class
Year: 2011
Type: article
Abstract: The purpose of this study is to contribute to existing research on classroom discourse by investigating whether a content-related comic that is closely linked to the learning task can stimulate mathematical discourse in a real high school classroom. To build a math-talk learning community and to analyze the effectiveness of content-related comics in eliciting student participation, I employed the combined theoretical frameworks consisting of a Hufferd-Ackles’ et al. (2004) math-talk learning community and Nathan and Knuth’s (2003) social and analytical scaffolding. The combined frameworks provided a multilevel analytical tool for studying classroom interactions. The results suggested that the content-related comic helped students to become more comfortable and independent in expressing their thinking during class discussion. Recommendation for practicing mathematics educators include: classroom teachers should be encouraged to partner with college level researchers to study mathematical discourse in the classroom, and pre-service and in-service teachers should learn and practice the skills and methods for successfully employing a whole-classroom discussion. Further research is needed to investigate the impact of content-related comic activity in a long term interaction with a more diverse population.
Author: Jeni M. Halimun
Language: English
Subfield: Education
Field: Social Sciences
Domain: Social Sciences
SDG: Quality education
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W645529676