Perceptual Learning in Mathematics

Sunday, 15 February 2015: 8:30 AM-11:30 AM
Room LL20B (San Jose Convention Center)
Philip J. Kellman, University of California, Los Angeles, CA
Kellman explores how experience shapes perception and interpretation of mathematical expressions. He argues that much of mathematical thinking is a kind of ‘seeing’, and that insightful ways of seeing can be acquired, forming an important but neglected part of our understanding of mathematics. He will describe his work exploring perceptual learning in facilitating mathematical problem solving as assessed in standard tests and will discuss implications for mathematics teaching.