1

Energies of Inquiry:Energies of Inquiry:what is the nature, form and rolewhat is the nature, form and role

of different forms of energy requiredof different forms of energy requiredfor different forms of mathematical and for different forms of mathematical and

pedagogical inquiry?pedagogical inquiry?

John MasonJohn Mason

AgderAgder

Sept 2009Sept 2009

The Open UniversityMaths Dept University of Oxford

Dept of Education

2

Three Gunas & Multiple Three Gunas & Multiple SelvesSelves

Impartial Uncommit

tedObjective

Responsive Open

Cautious

ActiveReactiveKeyed up

3

Guna Grams for MSWordGuna Grams for MSWord

Impartial Uncommitte

dObjective

Responsive Open

Cautious

ActiveReactiveKeyed

up

4

OutlineOutline

StimulusStimulus– Surprise, frustration, curiositySurprise, frustration, curiosity

InitiatingInitiating– Barely Noticing; Marking; RecordingBarely Noticing; Marking; Recording

Sustaining through commitmentsSustaining through commitments– Sharing (social); Sharing (social); – Connecting (to literature)Connecting (to literature)– Integrating for selfIntegrating for self– Influencing future practiceInfluencing future practice

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Context: MathematicsContext: Mathematics Getting StartedGetting Started Getting InvolvedGetting Involved MullingMulling Keeping GoingKeeping Going InsightInsight Being ScepticalBeing Sceptical Contemplating Contemplating

– reflecting, re-constructing, reflecting, re-constructing, abstracting …abstracting …

6

Context: PedagogyContext: Pedagogy Getting StartedGetting Started Getting InvolvedGetting Involved MullingMulling Keeping GoingKeeping Going InsightInsight Being ScepticalBeing Sceptical Contemplating Contemplating

– reflecting, re-constructing, reflecting, re-constructing, abstracting …abstracting …

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SourcesSources

Thinking Mathematically (New Edition 2010) Thinking Mathematically (New Edition 2010) (Pearson)(Pearson)

Researching Your own Practice Using the Researching Your own Practice Using the Discipline of Noticing (2002 Routledge)Discipline of Noticing (2002 Routledge)