2021 Research in Undergraduate Mathematics Education Reports
2021
N/A
Discourse Patterns in a Small Group “Collaboration”: The Case of Uma and Sean
Page: 324
In this study we present the results of a discourse analysis of the interactions between two partners, Uma and Sean, through a lens of positional theory. During nearly five hours of small group work in a teaching experiment, the way in which each partner used language to position each other’s thinking as mathematically significant and establish a collaborative environment varied dramatically. Specifically, Uma shouldered the burden of continuously working to maintain collaboration, oftentimes at the expense of having her thinking positioned as mathematically significant. On the other hand, Sean regularly offered little opportunity for Uma to engage openly with his thinking, while simultaneously positioning his own thinking as mathematically significant. Language enacts and constructs identification with social groups and positions of privilege; thus, we also describe the role of Uma and Sean’s identities, particularly gender-roles, in potentially explaining the nature of their interactions.