RUME 26
2024
Omaha, Nebraska
A Framework for Characterizing and Identifying Playful Mathematical Experiences
Page: 950
Play has been recognized as a component of mathematical practice; accordingly, this manuscript explores the potential role of play in undergraduate mathematics education. The manuscript introduces a novel framework for characterizing play, wherein a person is said to be playing in a scenario if they are (1) making non-routine, voluntary, and free choices/actions, (2) experiencing an appropriate level of challenge/uncertainty, and (3) experiencing amusement, satisfaction, or excitement. This framework is applied to provide a definition of playful mathematical experiences and consider how playful mathematical experiences relate to other concepts, like mathematical play and authentic mathematics.