UCL Discovery
UCL home » Library Services » Electronic resources » UCL Discovery

Ways of seeing geometrical meaning in different situations.

Correia Dias, Angela Alvares; (1996) Ways of seeing geometrical meaning in different situations. Doctoral thesis , Institute of Education, University of London. Green open access

[thumbnail of __d6_Shared$_SUPP_Library_User Services_Circulation_Inter-Library Loans_IOE ETHOS_ETHOS digitised by ILL_DIAS, A.A.C.pdf]
Preview
Text
__d6_Shared$_SUPP_Library_User Services_Circulation_Inter-Library Loans_IOE ETHOS_ETHOS digitised by ILL_DIAS, A.A.C.pdf - Accepted Version
Available under License Creative Commons Attribution Non-commercial Share Alike.

Download (2MB) | Preview

Abstract

This thesis set out to challenge the traditional approach to the study of geometrical understanding which has assumed that conceiving and interpreting shapes or forms is the result of logical and mental interaction between an individual and geometrical objects and that the production of geometrical meaning is motivated by the stimulus of the external structure of a visual text. By way of contrast, this study makes the case that geometrical meaning is socially and contextually produced. The research has two interconnected strands. The first strand is theoretical aiming to develop a framework for the study of geometrical understanding drawing on concepts from Mikhail Bakhtin, Umberto Eco and Gunther Kress. The second is empirical aiming to collect data whose analysis will inform and be informed by this theoretical framework. For this study, three groups of people who differed radically in terms of their geometrical experiences, socio-economic and educational backgrounds were interviewed in order to examine their interpretations of geometrical elements exhibited in different settings. The theoretical work of this thesis led to a framework for understanding geometry comprising 'sign', 'sign-functions', 'visual text', and 'heteroglossia'. Analysis of the data from empirical study in terms of this framework revealed the importance of the dynamics for visual experience as a process for communicating and of signifying, and how this relationship was itself dependent on the material conditions and contextual dynamics in which the meanings were constructed. The thesis concludes with an assessment of its potential contribution to redress the balance between learning about geometry and learning through geometry.

Type: Thesis (Doctoral)
Title: Ways of seeing geometrical meaning in different situations.
Open access status: An open access version is available from UCL Discovery
Publisher version: http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos...
Language: English
Additional information: Thesis: (PhD) University of London Institute of Education 1996..
UCL classification: UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Education > UCL Institute of Education
URI: https://discovery.ucl.ac.uk/id/eprint/10020276
Downloads since deposit
101Downloads
Download activity - last month
Download activity - last 12 months
Downloads by country - last 12 months

Archive Staff Only

View Item View Item