Álgebra e aspectos do pensamento algébrico : um estudo com resolução de problemas na licenciatura em Ciências Naturais e Matemática - UFMT/Sinop

• Autor(a) principal: Laier, Simone Simionato dos Santos
• Data de Publicação: 2014
• Tipo de documento: Dissertação
• Idioma: por
• Título da fonte: Repositório Institucional da UFMT
• Texto Completo: http://ri.ufmt.br/handle/1/318
• topic: Álgebra; Pensamento algébrico; Resolução de problemas; Produção de significados; Formação inicial de professores; CNPQ::CIENCIAS HUMANAS::EDUCACAO; Algebra; Algebraic thinking; Problem solving; Production of meaning; Initial teacher education

This master's research is aimed at studying the aspects of algebraic thinking shown by the students of the Licentiate’s Degree program in Natural Sciences and Mathematics, with specialization in Mathematics, of UFMT (The Federal University of Mato Grosso) – Sinop Campus, MT. This is a qualitative, exploratory and investigative research, in which we seek to study the manifestations of students in relation to algebra, using the procedure of mathematical problem solving. Data for this research were collected through questionnaires aimed at the profiling of subjects, eight mathematical problems and audiovisual records. From what was produced by the subjects, the data were organized and the analysis proceeded in two distinct approaches: the first one intended to identify aspects of algebraic thinking revealed by solving mathematical problems and the elements of the problem solving that could reveal a sequence of steps or procedures used to reach the answer, as well as check whether there would be a production of meaning for the activity in question; the second approach aimed to consider the concepts of algebra presented and the stance in relation to mathematical problem solving. For the first approach, we identified in the records presented, that the subjects proceeded with some regularity in operations and developed some kind of generalization process for the problems, in addition to using algebraic language to express themselves mathematically. Regarding the steps taken to solve the problems, we noted that each subject maintained a regularity of the solutions presented, i.e., they applied the same resources used to solve a problem to the other ones, as if it were a personal characteristic to organize their own ideas. For the second approach, what the subjects presented about their algebraic knowledge provided some support for our reflecting on how these prospective teachers perceive algebra and the activities involving mathematical problem solving. These results suggest that the subjects had had no experiences that provided the opportunity to work with problem solving encouraging a new way of working and exploring mathematical content. In what learning mathematics through problem solving is concerned, the possibility of learning from this methodology was not, in fact, identified, even though they consider it important for the development process of reasoning and algebraic thinking. Regarding the aspects of algebraic thinking that were revealed, we can conclude that, in relation to the extent of algebra, it predominantly stands out as generalized arithmetic, using letters to express a mathematical model in its functional aspect. The subjects operated with variables, using letters to express relations and functions, in order to establish equations that use letters as unknowns.