Ann-Christin Beforth

Quality Characteristics of Interactions during „Mathematical Conversations“ in Plenum

The project focuses on „Mathematical Conversations“ in primary school lessons, which take place in the interaction in the class plenum between teacher and students. Of particular interest is how the professional discussion takes place in these interactions and how the teacher influences them. As a result, the interplay of interaction design and subject-specific quality in „Mathematical Conversations“ emerges as an area of investigation.

A look at the current research shows that there are hardly any results about a coherent view of conversation and subject content in „Mathematical Conversations“ in plenum in (elementary school) mathematics classes. With the question of the extent to which subject-specific quality is evident in mathematical conversations in plenum and which quality characteristics these exhibit, plenum situations are to be specifically examined and analysed with regard to typical interaction patterns.

The data analysis is based on videotaped primary school mathematics lessons, in which plenum situations with „Mathematical Conversations“ are first identified. Subsequently, these will be analysed with regard to interaction patterns and subject-specific depth of engagement with the content, so that indicators for subject-specific quality of interactions in „Mathematical Conversations“ can be identified. Finally, a first formulation of quality characteristics of interactions in „Mathematical Conversations“ in plenum is aimed at.