This translation of the French Recherches sur l'abstraction reflechissante (1977), make available in English Piaget's only treatise on reflecting abstraction - a process he came to attribute considerable importance to in his later thinking and which he believed to be responsible for many of the advances that take place in human development, especially our understanding of mathematics. Rich with empirical research on reflecting abstraction at work in the thinking of 4 to 12 year olds, the studies in this volume examine its role in many contexts of cognitive development such as: reasoning about mathematics; forming analogies; putting objects in order by size and comparing the resulting series; and navigating through a wire maze. His theoretical discussions explore the relationships between reflecting abstraction and other central processes in his later theory, such as generalization, becoming conscious, and equilibration, as the differentiation of possibilities and their integration into necessities. These discussions indicate which aspects of his later theorizing were settled and which require further thought and investigation. Studies in Reflecting Abstraction will be of interest to developmental and cognitive psychologists, educationalists, philosophers and anyone who seeks to understand human knowledge and its development.

This book is the first major study of advanced mathematical thinking as performed by mathematicians and taught to students in senior high school and university. Topics covered include the psychology of advanced mathematical thinking, the processes involved, mathematical creativity, proof, the role of definitions, symbols, and reflective abstraction. It is highly appropriate for the college professor in mathematics or the general mathematics educator.

The Cambridge Companion to Piaget provides a comprehensive introduction to different aspects of Jean Piaget's work.

The book provides an entry point for graduate students and other scholars interested in using the constructs of Piaget’s genetic epistemology in mathematics education research. Constructs comprising genetic epistemology form the basis for some of the most well-developed theoretical frameworks available for characterizing learning, particularly in mathematics. The depth and complexity of Piaget’s work can make it challenging to find adequate entry points for learners, not least because it requires a reorientation regarding the nature of mathematical knowledge itself. This volume gathers leading scholars to help address that challenge. The main section of the book presents key Piagetian constructs for mathematics education research such as schemes and operations, figurative and operative thought, images and meanings, and decentering. The chapters that discuss these constructs include examples from research and address how these constructs can be used in research. There are two chapters on various types of reflective abstraction, because this construct is Piaget’s primary tool for characterizing the advancement of knowledge. The later sections of the book contain commentaries reflecting on the contributions of the body of theory developed in the first section. They connect genetic epistemology to current research domains such as equity and the latest in educational psychology. Finally, the book closes with short chapters portraying how scholars are using these tools in specific arenas of mathematics education research, including in special education, early childhood education, and statistics education.

Taking a socio-historical and cultural perspective, this book looks at Jean Piaget's own growth from childhood to scientific life. The international and multidisciplinary contributors examine the milieu in which Piaget was born and educated, and search for traces of the experiences, social relationships, commitments and debates that peppered his childhood and adolescence, and informed his future academic career.

Classrooms provide extremely varied settings in which learning may take place, including teacher-led conversations, small group unguided discussions, individual problem solving or computer supported collaborative learning (CSCL). Transformation of Knowledge through Classroom Interaction examines and evaluates different ways which have been used to support students learning in classrooms, using mathematics and science as a model to examine how different types of interactions contribute to students’ participation in classroom activity, and their understanding of concepts and their practical applications. The contributions in this book offer rich descriptions and ways of understanding how learning occurs in both traditional and non-traditional settings. Combining theoretical perspectives with practical applications, the book includes discussions of: the roles of dialogue and argumentation in constructing knowledge the role of guidance in constructing knowledge abstracting processes in mathematics and science classrooms the effect of environment, media and technology on learning processes methodologies for tracing transformation of knowledge in classroom interaction. Bringing together a broad range of contributions from leading international researchers, this book makes an important contribution to the field of classroom learning, and will appeal to all those engaged in academic research in education.

This book provides a common language for and makes connections between transfer research in mathematics education and transfer research in related fields. It generates renewed excitement for and increased visibility of transfer research, by showcasing and aggregating leading-edge research from the transfer research community. This book also helps to establish transfer as a sub-field of research within mathematics education and extends and refines alternate perspectives on the transfer of learning. The book provides an overview of current knowledge in the field as well as informs future transfer research.