PROCEEDINGS OF THE 21ST ANNUAL CONFERENCE ON RESEARCH IN UNDERGRADUATE MATHEMATICS EDUCATION
2018
San Diego, California
Networking Theories to Design Dynamic Covariation Techtivities for College Algebra Students
Page: 1224
Covariational reasoning is a challenging form of reasoning for undergraduate students to develop and employ. Yet, students’ lack of opportunities to use covariational reasoning may account, in part, for some of their difficulties. Building from the work of mathematics education researchers (e.g., Kaput, Thompson, Moore), we developed a suite of Techtivities—free, accessible, digital media activities linking dynamic animations and graphs. Using a Cannon Man Techtivity to illustrate, we provide four key design components and three theoretically based design principles underlying the Techtivities. To inform design both within and across the Techtivities, we network theories of different grain sizes: Thompson’s theory of quantitative reasoning and Marton’s variation theory. Developing Techtivities for students in the gatekeeping course, College Algebra, we intend to expand students’ opportunities to employ covariational reasoning. We discuss implications stemming from students’ opportunities to use free, accessible digital media activites, such as Techtivities, to promote their covariational reasoning.