Departmental Colloquium
Bettina Pedemonte
ITD - CNR Genova
AlNuSet: A dynamic system for learning algebra
Abstract: Several research works in the domain of algebra highlight that many algebraic learning difficulties are
rooted in the passage from arithmetic to algebra and in the different way mathematical expressions and
propositions (equations and inequations) are used in these domains. As a matter of fact, a cognitive gap
emerges when students pass from operating with numerical expressions and propositions composed only
by numbers that are typical of arithmetic, to literal expressions and propositions, composed also by letters
that characterize algebra.
These works have oriented the design and the accomplishment of a new system named ALNUSET (ALgebra
on the NUmerical SETs) to support the teaching and learning processes in the algebraic domain. ALNUSET
was developed in the context of ReMath (IST - 4 - 26751) EC project and is designed for students of lower
and upper secondary school (yrs 12-13 to 16/17). It is constituted by three integrated components: the
Algebraic Line component, the Algebraic Manipulator component, and the Cartesian plan component.
This seminar focuses on the influence of ALNUSET on students' construction of proof. Results of an
experiment are presented to show in which way it can be used to enhance the teaching and learning of algebraic proof.
References:
Pedemonte B., Chiappini G. (2008) ALNUSET: a system for teaching and learning algebra International Journal of
Continuing Engineering Education and Life-Long Learning (IJCEELL) 18 5/6 Inderscience Publishers, 627 - 639.
Pedemonte B. The algebraic manipulator of Alnuset: a tool to prove Proceeding of the Sixth Congress of the
European Society for Research in Mathematics Education CERME 6, Lyon, Francia.
Friday April 3, 2009 at 3:00 PM in SEO 636