Reconstruction of the Interpretation of Geometric Diagrams of Primary School Children Based on Actions on Various Materials - A Semiotic Perspective on Actions

This paper adopts a semiotic perspective on mathematical learning according to Peirce, in which the actions on material arrangements are considered the bases for diagrammatic work. The focus is on the learner’s actions using digital and analogue material arrangements which are the starting point for the reconstruction of the learner’s mathematical interpretations. In this paper a qualitative interpretative paradigm is adopted for the reconstruction. Specifically, a semiotic specification of the context analysis according to Mayring and an adoption of Vogel, is carried out. The reconstruction of the mathematical interpretation is presented with a focus on a geometrical problem that third graders are working on. Finally, the results of several cases are compared to identify possible differences between the analysed actions when using digital and analogue material arrangements.