Mathematics

The “Development of algebraic thinking” 
research project (Professor Lisa Hefendehl-Hebeker’s working group) investigates the development of skills in cognition and description of patterns for school students in grades 5–7. It also considers teaching methods to help students understand and use elementary algebraic formula language. The first PhD thesis on this subject was completed in the summer of 2010 (Tatjana Berlin: Algebra erwerben und besitzen. Eine binationale empirische Studie in der Jahrgangsstufe 5. Dissertation, 
Essen 2010). The development of new concepts combining subject and professional relevance in teaching degrees is the topic of the “Integration 
of specialised and didactic knowledge in teacher training” project. This is now the second round 
of the research and development project funded by the Deutsche Telekom Stiftung to support trainee teachers in the early stages of their education.
Professor Hans Niels Jahnke’s working group conducts projects on the genesis of argumentation and proof and on the process of solving word problems. Their titles are “Understanding oriented approach to proving” and “Construction of simulation models for complex word problems”. Two PhD theses were completed in 2010. The leader of the working group was invited to speak at the joint annual conference of the DMV and GDM (8–12 March 2010 LMU Munich).
Projects on the interpretative reconstruction of interactive mathematical knowledge constructions and projects for professionalisation of teachers are at the centre of the “Epistemologische Interaktionsforschung mathematischer Lehr-Lern-Prozesse (EInmaL)” research group (Prof. Heinz Steinbring). Titles of subprojects include: “Mathematical reflexion as a change of perspective”, “Graduation by changing the representation level”, “Talking mathematics with children – individual diagnosis and support”, “Testing and evaluation of focussing teaching strategies in mathematics classes at primary school”, “Development of visual structuring skills”, “Primary school children interpret visual material: an epistemological context and framework analysis to develop the visual structuring skills” (supported by the BMBF), “Elementary stochastic viewing in primary school – epistemological foundation and empirical testing of a theoretical construct”. The leader of the working group was invited to speak at the International Congress of Mathematicians, Hyderabad, India, from 19–27 August 2010 and took part in the panel discussion (section 19) on the subject of: “Relations between the Discipline & School Mathematics”.

Research Cooperation

• Prof. Dr. Rainer Danckwerts (Siegen) (“Mathematik Neu Denken II” panel of experts)
• Prof. Dr. Albrecht Beutelspacher (Gießen) (“Mathematik Neu Denken II” panel of experts)
• J. Prof. Dr. Birgit Brandt (Frankfurt)
• Prof. Athanasios Gagatsis (University of Cyprus)
• Prof. Dr. George Hanna (Ontario Institute for Studies on Education, University of Toronto)
• Prof. Dr. Gerald Harel (St. Diego, California)
• Prof. Dr. Aiso Heinze (Kiel)
• Prof. Iwasaki (Joetsu University of Education, Japan)
• Prof. Dr. Jürgen Voigt (Münster).