Conceptual Change in Mathematics and Science
This research area is focused on teacher–student interaction and collaborative learning processes aimed at supporting learning of complex mathematical and science domains including difficult conceptual change problems and so called socio-scientific problems and dilemmas. Conceptual change is used to characterize situations where learners’ prior knowledge is incompatible with the new conceptualization, and where learners are often disposed to make systematic errors or build misconceptions. During the last years, research on conceptual change has produced a rich variety of models of the development of students’ conceptual understanding and conceptual change.
Three research projects are focused on these issues:
1. Conceptual change in mathematics
This project aims at dealing with the learning problems students have in understanding the extensions of number concept (from natural to rational numbers; from rational to real numbers).
2. Refutational text, reading processes and conceptual change
This project aims at examining the process of conceptual change (CC) while reading science texts including refutational elements. In addition, the project is developing multi-method approached for tracing the reading and comprehension processes (e.g. eye-tracking methods).
3. Social, emotional and metacognitive regulation of conceptual change processes
This project is focused on the emotional and metacognitive regulation processes, which take place in cognitive conflict situations.
Project funding
- (2007-2010) FiDiPro. Finnish Distinguished Professor - Learning in social and cultural context
- The Finnish Graduate School in Education and Learning, KASVA
- The Finnish National Doctoral Programme on Multidisciplinary Research on Learning Environment, OPMON
Research Leaders
Professor Roger Säljö, Docent Kaarina Merenluoto and Assistant Professor Mirjamaija Mikkilä-Erdmann
Research Team
Erno Lehtinen, Professor
Markus Hähkiöniemi, Post-doc Researcher, University of Jyväskylä
Riitta Kinnunen, Senior Researcher
Erkki Anto, Doctoral Student
Tarja-Riitta Hurme, Doctoral Student, Universities of Oulu and Turku
Marjaana Penttinen, Doctoral Student
International collaborators
Professor Lieven Verschaffel, University of Leuven, Belgium
Professor Gale Sinatra, University of Nevada, USA