Monograph No. 10
Communication, Communication, Communication, Communication in the MATHEMATICS CLASSROOM
October 1992
Publication of the Mathematics Council of The Alberta Teachers’ Association
14 – 22
Chapter 2 – The Role of Communication in Mathematics
Barbara J. Morrison
This chapter focuses on the role of writing and classroom discourse in
1. confirming student understanding,
2. creating a risk-free environment, and
3. improving instruction.
Barbara J. Morrison provides a succinct summary of research supportive of such roles and outlines several areas in which writing can occur, including the following:
1. Short writing assignments
2. Class logs
3. Journals
4. Writing activities using the text
5. Writing on tests
6. Chapter summaries
7. Definition cards
8. Writing about problem solving
9. Personal math histories
A particular strength of this chapter is the way the author embeds her remarks in the literature about communication in mathematics. This not only provides references for further reading but also helps to integrate practice with theory.