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Cited by 32Mathematics Education and Teaching TechniquesMathematics Education and PedagogyCognitive and developmental aspects of mathematical skills

Young Students’ Functional Thinking Modes: The Relation Between Recursive Patterning, Covariational Thinking, and Correspondence Relations

Pittalis, Marios, Pitta-Pantazi, Demetra, Christou, Constantinos·2020·Journal for Research in Mathematics Education
DOI 10.5951/jresematheduc-2020-0164
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Abstract

A theoretical model describing young students’ (Grades 1–3) functional-thinking modes was formulated and validated empirically (n = 345), hypothesizing that young students’ functional-thinking modes consist of recursive patterning, covariational thinking, correspondence-particular, and correspondence-general factors. Data analysis suggested that functional-thinking tasks can be categorized on the basis of the proposed model. Analysis traced three categories of students that represent different functional-thinking profiles. Category 1 students exhibited a recursive-thinking profile. Category 2 students utilized a combination of recursive and contextual strategies and exhibited an emergent covariational and correspondence-particular thinking. Category 3 students approached functional-thinking situations flexibly, using a combination of covariational and correspondence strategies. A structural model showed two parallel paths from recursive patterning to correspondence-general through correspondence-particular or covariational.

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Authors
Pittalis, M., Pitta-Pantazi, D., & Christou, C.
Affiliations
  • University of Cyprus (CY)
  • 1 University of Cyprus
ORCID
Venue
Journal for Research in Mathematics Education
Publisher
National Council of Teachers of Mathematics
Published
2020-11
Volume
51
Issue
5
Pages
631-674
ISSN
  • 0021-8251 (ISSN-L)
  • 1945-2306
DOI
10.5951/jresematheduc-2020-0164
OpenAlex
W3118468031
Semantic Scholar
32f74f30182098203fb41a5018d3cff52a793598
Cited by
32
References
53
Citations by year
2026: 5 · 2025: 7 · 2024: 7 · 2023: 6 · 2022: 7
FWCI
5.43
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Locations
Journal for Research in Mathematics Education (publishedVersion)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Education › Mathematics Education and Teaching Techniques
  • Physical Sciences › Mathematics › Applied Mathematics › Mathematics Education and Pedagogy
  • Physical Sciences › Mathematics › Statistics and Probability › Cognitive and developmental aspects of mathematical skills
Keywords
functional thinking, younger schoolchildren, correspondence relations, early algebra, theoretical model

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