Potential scenarios for Internet use in the mathematics classroom

Research on the influence of multiple representations in mathematics education gained new momentum when personal computers and software started to become available in the mid-1980s. It became much easier for students who were not fond of algebraic representations to work with concepts such as function using graphs or tables. Research on how students use such software showed that they shaped the tools to their own needs, resulting in an intershaping relationship in which tools shape the way students know at the same time the students shape the tools and influence the design of the next generation of tools. This kind of research led to the theoretical perspective presented in this paper: knowledge is constructed by collectives of humans-with-media. In this paper, I will discuss how media have shaped the notions of problem and knowledge, and a parallel will be developed between the way that software has brought new possibilities to mathematics education and the changes that the Internet may bring to mathematics education. This paper is, therefore, a discussion about the future of mathematics education. Potential scenarios for the future of mathematics education, if the Internet becomes accepted in the classroom, will be discussed. © FIZ Karlsruhe 2009.

Calculadoras, Computadores e Internet em Educação Matemática: dezoito anos de pesquisa

In this paper, we present GPIMEM, a group that has been developing research in Mathematics Education related to computers and other media since 1993 to understand how mathematical knowledge can be produced with these technological resources, in face-to-face as well as online distance education. Members of the group dialogue with different fields of knowledge such as philosophy, history, psychology, anthropology, sociology, arts and technology, among others, to inform their research. The research addresses various topics relevant to Mathematics Education, including methodological and epistemological aspects of teaching and learning, of mathematical modeling and teacher education, always within a qualitative research perspective. We begin with the historical presentation of the group, revealing its dynamics and organization of work, followed by reflections on qualitative research methodology and description of research conducted over the past five years. Finally, we present a synthesis of the theories developed by the group and expectations for the future.

Internet e formação de professores de matemática: desafios e possibilidades

Pós-graduação em Educação Matemática - IGCE

Interações orais em língua inglesa no laboratório de multimídia com acesso à Internet

Pós-graduação em Estudos Linguísticos - IBILCE

Redes sociais na Internet: uma investigação sobre práticas de compartilhamento de arquivos no Facebook

The social networking sites have experienced a large and rapid growth in recent years and bring together millions of users in Brazil and worldwide. Such networks allow adding groups of people with common interests or relationships, enabling members of this group to communicate and exchange information. Some social networks have specific goals, for example, aggregate individuals with common interests and professional relationships. However, they all share information in some way, whether in the form of short texts, photos, videos, among others. Sharing information in files is also a growing activity on the Internet and can be done in various ways, from sending files via email to multiple contacts to make available areas shared by the same contacts. However, applications are not yet available to enable file sharing on Facebook, considered the premier social network today. Given the growing demand for sharing files over the Internet, and a large number of users familiar with the use of these integrated applications for Facebook there is a demand for applications that allow users to share files with their contacts in this social network. This study aims to investigate how users use Facebook, and their practices for file sharing. It is believed that the results will substantiate future projects to develop software for file sharing on Facebook. Due to the exploratory nature of this research, the choice was made for a survey to collect data, applied through the web. From the results obtained, was possible to observe a frequent use of file sharing, but no interest in paid services. Regarding Facebook, was possible to observe their extensive use in both the frequency of access as the hours spent, as well as an increased use of applications (games, quiz, etc.). The full set of results shows a favorable environment for developing applications for sharing files on Facebook.