Abstract
In this paper I consider what it means to ‘re’-present qualitative data from multilingual mathematics classrooms. I draw from a recent study that focused on language practices in multilingual mathematics classrooms to explore the different levels involved in the ‘re’-presentation of multilingual data. The purpose of the paper is not to discuss the details of the study but to use data from the study to raise the awareness of the conceptual underpinnings of data re-presentation in mathematics education research. I use the data to show one perspective to ‘re’-presentation of multilingual data. The main argument of the paper is that ‘re’-presentation of multilingual data is not just talk written down, it is inevitably a process of selection and is informed by theory, research questions, tools of analysis and the purposes of re-presenting the data.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Adler, J. (2001).Teaching Mathematics in Multilingual Classrooms. Dordrecht: Kluwer Academic Publishers.
Arthur, J. (1994). English in Botswana primary classrooms: functions and constraints. In C. M. Rubagumya (Ed.),Teaching and Researching Language in African Classrooms. Clevedon: Multilingual Matters Ltd.
Atkinson, P. (1992).Understanding Ethnographis Text. London: Sage.
Barwell, R. (2002).Linguistic discrimination and mathematics education research. Paper presented at the Third International Mathematics Education and Society Conference, Helsingor, Denmark.
Barwell, R. (2003). Patterns of attention in the interaction of a primary school mathematics student with English as an additional language.Educational Studies in Mathematics 53(1) 35–59.
Chenail, R. J. (1994). Qualitative research and clinical work: “Provats-ization” and “Public-action”. The Qualitative Report [On-line journal], 2(1), 1 pp 3–13. http://alpha.acast.nova.edu/nova/centres/sss/html
Civil, M. (2002). Everyday mathematics, mathematicians’ mathematics and school mathematics: Can we bring them together? In M. Brenner & J. Moshkovich (Eds.),Everyday and Academic mathematics in the classroom. National Council of Teachers of Mathematics, Reston, Virginia.
Gee, J. (1999).An Introduction to Discourse Analysis: Theory and Method. London: Routledge.
Gorgorio, N. & Planas, N. (2001) Teaching mathematics in multilingual classroom.Education Studies in Mathematics. 47, pp. 7–33.
Green, J.; Frnquiz, M.; Dixon, C. (1997) The myth of the objective transcript: Transcribing as a situated act. Tesol Quartely. 31(1). pp. 172–176.
Gutstein, E. (2003) Teaching and learning mathematics for social justice in an urban, Latino school,Journal for Research in Mathematics, Education. 34(1), 37–73.
Kvale, S. (1996)Interview: An Introduction to Qualitative Research Interviewing. Thousand Oaks: California: Sage Publications.
Mercer, N. (1995).The Guided Construction of Knowledge: Talk amongst Teachers and Learners, Clevedon: Multilingual Matters.
Mehan, M. (1993) Beneath the skin and between the ears: A case of study in the politics of representation. In: S. Chaiklin & J. Lave (Eds.), Understanding practice. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
Moschkovich, J. (1996). Learning in two languages. In: L. Puig & A. Gutierezz (Eds.),Twentienth Conference of the International Group for the Psychology of Mathematics Education. (Vol. Volume 4., pp. 27–34) Valecia: Universitat De Valencia.
Moschkovich, J. (1999). Supporting the participation of English language learners in mathematical discussions.For the Learning of Mathematics, 19(1), 11–19.
Moschkovich, J. (2002). A situated and sociocultural perspective on bilingual mathematics learners.Mathematical Thinking and Learning, 4(2 & 3), 189–212.
Riessman, C. K. (1993).Narrative Analysis. California: Sage Publications.
Roberts, C. (1997) Transcribing talk: Issues of representation. Tesol Quartely. 31(1), 172–176.
Rudduck, J. (1993). The theatre of daylight: Qualitative research and school profile studies. In M. Schratz (Ed.),Qualitative Voices in Educational Research. (pp. 8–22). London, The Falmer Press.
Ruse, C., & Katz, E. (1991).Heinemann International Students’ Dictionary. Oxford: Heinemann.
Setati, M. (2002):Language Practices in Intermediate Multilingual Mathematics Classrooms. Unpublished PhD., University of the Witwatersrand. Johannesburg.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Setati, M. ‘Re’-presenting qualitative data from multilingual mathematics classrooms. Zentralblatt für Didaktik der Mathematik 35, 294–300 (2003). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02656693
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02656693