RUME 26
2024
Omaha, Nebraska
Re-conceptualizing the Construct of Mathematical Autonomy: From Individual Trait to Quality of Action in Context
Page: 977
In this paper, we motivate the need for a definition of mathematical autonomy that does not imply that autonomy is a trait of an individual. Rather, we demonstrate the usefulness of a lens on autonomy that captures the characteristics of actions taken in contexts that shape the space of sensible action. Shifting from trait to quality of action in context further allows us to analyze how actions of groups of individuals doing mathematical work can have qualities associated with mathematical autonomy. We ground our theoretical work in data from a longitudinal case study of an undergraduate student, Kaleb, whose orientation to mathematical sense-making changed sharply across multiple contexts of activity.