Technology & Task Design

This research focuses on the design and development of technologically enhanced, multi-modal investigations that seek to balance conceptual development, procedural fluency, and contextual awareness.

Task design research is an iterative process that seeks to develop and refine rich learning experiences. Digital technologies can encourage deeper understanding and more robust mathematical connections.

Principal Investigator: Dr. Ami Mamolo, Dr. Sheree Rodney
Funding Agency: SSHRC
Additional Team Members: Dr. Peter Taylor, Dr. Robyn Ruttenberg-Rozen, Dr. Diane Tepylo

Spatial Visual Reasoning

Spatial visual reasoning refers to the ability to imagine, picture, or mentally manipulate 2D and 3D figures. With a focus on spatial visual reasoning, task designers incorporate and network a variety of mathematical representations to foster connected and conceptual understanding. Tangible physical models and dynamic geometry software foster diverse and accessible ways of reasoning conceptually with mathematics.

Highlighted Article:

Mamolo, A. & Glynn-Adey, P. (2023). Tangible connections within the mathematical horizon: Exploring the Dihedral Calculator. ZDM - Mathematics Education, 55, 793-805. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11858-023-01503-5

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Computational Modeling, Data Visualization, & Digital Making

Computational modeling is an essential skill that can offer transformative learning experiences for students by engaging them authentically in the work of mathematicians.
Data visualization has an important role to play in fostering student understanding as well as in facilitating mathematical communication. Projects that include digital making are collaborative, student-centered learning experiences that emphasize problem-solving, resilience, creativity, and student agency. Learners can make sense of the world and contribute back to it by leveraging skills and experiences in computational modeling, data visualization and digital making.

Highlighted Article:

Rodney, S. & Mamolo, A. (2023). Relational-Curiosity and Mathematics: A Dynamic Exploration of DataViz. Canadian Journal for Science, Mathematics, and Technology Education. https://rdcu.be/dsg3Y

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Socially Relevant Mathematics

Math explorations that are contextualized in issues of social justice are a means to respond to the needs of an increasingly diverse student population -- to make mathematics meaningful in multicultural classrooms, to close achievement gaps across classes, ethnicities and genders, and to improve student understanding of important world issues. Such explorations can also afford important opportunities to develop key mathematical processes and critical reasoning.

Highlighted Article:

Mamolo, A., Rodney, S., & Tepylo, D. (2022). Coding and climate change: Investigating prospective teachers' pathways of attention. The Journal of Mathematical Behavior, 68. doi.org/10.1016/j.jmathb.2022.101014

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