Research by Gloriana González, assistant professor in Curriculum and Instruction (C&I), and doctoral student in C&I, Anna F. DeJarnette, was published in a recent issue of the online journal The Mathematics Educator.

In “Building Students’ Reasoning Skills by Promoting Student-Led Discussions in an Algebra II Class," González and DeJarnette elaborate on current research and calls from professional organizations to discuss the importance of advancing reasoning and sense making skills in mathematical curriculum. 

By observing students in an algebra course, they noticed that conversations amongst students allowed them to connect their course material with other concepts and to develop a deeper understanding of the problems.

To help foster similar classroom experiences, González and DeJarnette argue that when teachers implement tasks that encourage autonomy, productivity, and discussion, students in algebra have an avenue to develop their reasoning and sense making skills.

The Mathematics Educator, a student-produced journal by the Mathematics Education Student Association in the Department of Mathematics and Science Education at the University of Georgia, encourages educators of all levels of professional experience to collaborate and to share theory, thought, and issues related to mathematics education.

This article marks another collaboration between González and DeJarnette, with previous articles published by the National Council of Teacher of Mathematics.