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Technology, Knowledge and Learning

, Volume 19, Issue 1–2, pp 81–99 | Cite as

Learning Number with TouchCounts: The Role of Emotions and the Body in Mathematical Communication

  • Nathalie Sinclair
  • Einat Heyd-Metzuyanim
Article
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Abstract

In this paper we describe a touchscreen application called TouchCounts, which is designed to support the development of number sense in the early years. We first provide an a priori analysis of its affordances. Then, using Sfard’s communicational approach, augmented by a focus both on the role of the body—particularly the fingers and hands—and emotions in the mathematical communication of a child, a teacher and a touchscreen device, we show how two 5-year-old girls learn about counting and adding.

Keywords

Emotions Tools Touchscreen Gestures Goals Number sense Communicational approach Early years 
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Copyright information

© Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht 2014

Authors and Affiliations

  1. 1.Simon Fraser UniversityBurnabyCanada
  2. 2.Department of Education in Science and TechnologyTechnion-Israel Institute of TechnologyHaifaIsrael

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