Mathematics Learning Activity Types1, 2

The purpose of presenting an activity types taxonomy for mathematics is to introduce the full
range of student learning activities for teachers to consider when building lessons that strive to
effectively integrate technology, pedagogy, and content. In doing so, we attempt to scaffold
teachers’ thinking about how to best structure their learning activities, best support those
activities with educational technologies, and to spark their creativity during instructional
planning.

Essentially, these mathematics activity types are designed to be catalysts to thoughtful and
creative instruction by teachers. We have conceptualized seven genres of activity types for
mathematics that are derived from the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics’ (NCTM’s)
process standards. To encourage active engagement by all students, these activity types are
expressed using active words (verbs) to focus instructional planning on student rather than
teacher actions. Many of these words are drawn directly from the NCTM standards. Each of the
seven genres is presented in a separate table that names the activity types for that genre, briefly
defines them, and then provides some example technologies that might be selected by a teacher
while undertaking each activity. Please note that the specific software titles referenced in the
Possible Technologies columns are meant to be illustrative. The taxonomy’s authors do not
specifically endorse any of the listed products.

The "Consider" Activity Types

When learning mathematics, students are often asked to thoughtfully consider new concepts or
information. This request is a familiar one for the mathematics student, and is just as familiar to
the teacher. Yet, although such learning activities can be very important contributors to student
understanding, the "Consider" activity types also often represent some of the lower levels of
student engagement, and typically are manifested using a relatively direct presentation of
foundational knowledge.

Table 1: The "Consider" Activity Types

Activity Type Brief Description Possible Technologies

Students gain information from a Document camera ,content-
presentation, videoclip, animation, specific interactive tool (e.g.,
Attend to a
interactive whiteboard or other display ExploreMath), presentation or
Demonstration
media video creation software, video
clips, videoconferencing

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Suggested citation (APA format, 6th ed.):
Grandgenett, N., Harris, J., & Hofer, M. (2011, February). Mathematics learning activity types. Retrieved from College of
William and Mary, School of Education, Learning Activity Types Wiki:
http://activitytypes.wm.edu/MathLearningATs-Feb2011.pdf
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“Mathematics Learning Activity Types” by Neal Grandgenett, Judi Harris and Mark Hofer is licensed
under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License.
Based on a work at activitytypes.wm.edu.

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 Students extract information from Electronic textbooks, websites
textbooks or other written materials, in (i.e. the Math Forum),
Read Text
either print or digital form informational electronic
documents (e.g. .pdfs)
Students discuss a concept or process Ask-an-expert sites (e.g., Ask
Discuss with a teacher, other students, or an Dr. Math), online discussion
external expert groups, videoconferencing
Students examine a pattern presented to Graphing calculators, virtual
them and attempt to understand the manipulative sites (e.g., the
pattern better National Library of Virtual
Recognize a Pattern
Manipulatives), content-
specific interactive tool (e.g.,
ExploreMath), spreadsheet
Students explore or investigate a concept Content-specific interactive
(such as fractals), perhaps by use of the tool (e.g., ExploreMath), Web
Internet or other research-related searching, informational
Investigate a Concept
resources databases (e.g., Wikipedia),
virtual worlds (e.g., Second
Life), simulations
Students strive to understand the context Web searching, concept
Understand or Define of a stated problem or to define the mapping software, ill-
a Problem mathematical characteristics of a problem structured problem media
(e.g., CIESE Projects)
The "Practice" Activity Types
In the learning of mathematics, it is often very important for a student to be able to practice
computational techniques or other algorithm-based strategies, in order to automate these skills
for later and higher-level mathematical applications. Some educational technologies can provide
valuable assistance in helping students to practice and internalize important skills and
techniques. This table provides some examples of how technology can assist in these important
student practice efforts.
Table 2: The "Practice" Activity Types
Activity Type Brief Description Possible Technologies
Students undertake computation-based Scientific calculators,
Do Computation strategies using numeric or symbolic graphing calculators,
processing spreadsheet, Mathematica
Students rehearse a mathematical strategy Drill and practice software,
or technique, and perhaps uses computer- online textbook supplements,
Do Drill and Practice
aided repetition and feedback in the online homework help
practice process websites (e.g., WebMath).
Students carry out a mathematical Virtual manipulatives, Web-
strategy or technique within the context based puzzles (e.g., magic
Solve a Puzzle of solving an engaging puzzle, which squares), mathematical
may be facilitated or posed by the brainteaser Web sites (e.g.,
technology CoolMath)

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The "Interpret" Activity Types

In the discipline of mathematics, individual concepts and relationships can be quite abstract, and
at times can even represent a bit of a mystery to students. Often students need to spend some
time deducing and explaining these relationships to internalize them. Educational technologies
can be used to help students investigate concepts and relationships more actively, and assist them
in interpreting what they observe. This table displays activity types that can support this
thoughtful interpretation process, and provides some examples of the available technologies that
can be used to support forming the interpretations.

Table 3: The "Interpret" Activity Types

Activity Type Brief Description Possible Technologies

The student poses a conjecture, perhaps
Dynamic geometry software
using dynamic software to display (e.g., Geometer’s Sketchpad),
Pose a Conjecture relationships Content-specific interactive
tool (e.g., ExploreMath), e-
mail
The student develops a mathematical Concept mapping software,
argument related to why they think that presentation software, blogs,
Develop an Argument
something is true. Technology may help specialized word processing
to form and to display that argument. software (e.g., Theorist)
The student attempts to examine a Database software, online
concept or relationship in order to databases, concept mapping
Categorize
categorize it into a set of known software, drawing software
categories
The student explains the relationships Data visualization software
apparent from a mathematical (e.g., Inspire Data), 2D and
representation (table, formula, chart, 3D animations, video clips,
Interpret a
diagram, graph, picture, model, Global Positioning Devices
Representation
animation, etc.) (GPS), engineering-related
visualization software (e.g.,
MathCad)
The student attempts to approximate Scientific calculator, graphing
some mathematical value by further calculator, spreadsheet,
Estimate
examining relationships using supportive student response systems (e.g.
technologies “clickers”)
Assisted by technology as needed, the Digital cameras, video,
student examines a mathematics-related computer-aided laboratory
Interpret a phenomenon (such as velocity, equipment, engineering-
Phenomenon acceleration, the Golden Ratio, gravity, related visualization software,
Mathematically etc.) specialized word processing
software (e.g., Theorist),
robotics, electronics kits

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The "Produce" Activity Types

When students are actively engaged in the study of mathematics, they can become motivated
producers of mathematical works, rather than just passive consumers of prepared materials.
Educational technologies can serve as excellent “partners” in this production process, aiding in
the refinement and formalization of a student product, as well as helping the student to share the
fruits of their mathematical labors. The activity types listed below suggest technology-assisted
efforts in which students become “producers” of mathematics-related products.

Table 4: The "Produce" Activity Types

Activity Type Brief Description Possible Technologies

The student makes a demonstration on Interactive whiteboard, video
some topic to show their understanding of creation software, document
a mathematical idea or process. camera, presentation software,
Do a Demonstration
Technology may assist in the podcasts, video sharing site
development or presentation of the
product.
The student produces a report, Specialized word processing
annotation, explanation, journal entry or software (e.g., Math Type),
Generate Text document, to illustrate their collaborative word processing
understanding. software, blogs, online
discussion groups
Assisted by the technology in the Logo graphics, engineering
Describe an Object or description or documentation process, the visualization software,
Concept student produces a mathematical concept mapping software,
Mathematically explanation of an object or concept specialized word processing
software, Mathematica
Using technology for production Spreadsheet, virtual
assistance if appropriate, the student manipulatives (e.g., digital
Produce a
develops a mathematical representation geoboard), document camera,
Representation
(table, formula, chart, diagram, graph, concept mapping software,
picture, model, animation, etc.) graphing calculator
The student poses a mathematical Word processing software,
problem that is illustrative of some online discussion groups,
Develop a Problem
mathematical concept, relationship, or Wikipedia, Web searching, e-
investigative question mail

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The "Apply" Activity Types

The utility of mathematics in the world can be found in its authentic application. Educational
technologies can be used to help students to apply their mathematical knowledge in the real
world, and to link specific mathematical concepts to real world phenomena. The technologies
essentially become students’ assistants in their mathematical work, helping them to link the
mathematical concepts being studied to the reality in which they live.

Table 5: The "Apply" Activity Types

Activity Type Brief Description Possible Technologies

The student reviews or selects a Online help sites (e.g.,
mathematics-related strategy for a WebMath, Math Forum),
particular context or application. Inspire Data, dynamic
Choose a Strategy
geometry/algebra software
(e.g., Geometry Expressions),
Mathematica, MathCAD
The student demonstrates their Test-taking software,
mathematical knowledge within the Blackboard, online survey
Take a Test
context of a testing environment, such as software, student response
with computer-assisted testing software. systems (e.g. “clickers”)
The student applies a mathematical Spreadsheet, robotics,
representation to a real life situation graphing calculator,
Apply a
(table, formula, chart, diagram, graph, computer-aided laboratories,
Representation
picture, model, animation, etc.). virtual manipulatives (e.g.,
electronic algebra tiles)

The "Evaluate" Activity Types

When students evaluate the mathematical work of others, or self-evaluate their own
mathematical work, they engage in a relatively sophisticated effort to try to understand
mathematical concepts and processes. Educational technologies can become valuable allies in
this effort, assisting students in the evaluation process by helping them to undertake concept
comparisons, test solutions or conjectures, and/or integrate feedback from other individuals into
revisions of their work. The following table lists some of these evaluation-related activities.

Table 6: The "Evaluate" Activity Types

Activity Type Brief Description Possible Technologies

The student compares and contrasts Concept-mapping software
different mathematical strategies or (e.g., Inspiration), Web
Compare and Contrast
concepts, to see which is more searches, Mathematica,
appropriate for a particular situation. MathCad
The student systematically tests a Scientific calculator, graphing
solution, and examines whether it makes calculator, spreadsheet,
Test a Solution
sense based upon systematic feedback, Mathematica, Geometry
which might be assisted by technology. Expressions

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 The student poses a specific conjecture Geometer Sketchpad, content-
and then examines the feedback of any specific interactive tool (e.g.,
interactive results to potentially refine the ExploreMath), statistical
Test a Conjecture
conjecture. packages (e.g., SPSS,
Fathom), online calculators,
robotics
The student evaluates a body of Online discussion groups,
Evaluate Mathematical
mathematical work, through the use of blogs, Mathematica,
Work
peer or technology-aided feedback. MathCad, Inspire Data

The "Create" Activity Types

When students are involved in some of the highest levels of mathematics learning activities, they
are often engaged in very creative and imaginative thinking processes. Albert Einstein once
suggested that “imagination is more important than knowledge.” It is said that this quote
represents his strong belief that mathematics is a very inventive, inspired, and imaginative
endeavor. Educational technologies can be used to help students to be creative in their
mathematical work, and even to help other students to deepen their learning of the mathematics
that they already understand. The activity types below represent these creative elements and
processes in students’ mathematical learning and interaction.

Table 7: The "Create" Activity Types

Activity Type Brief Description Example Technologies

The student develops and delivers a Document camera,
lesson on a particular mathematics presentation software,
Teach a Lesson
concept, strategy, or problem. videoconferencing, video
creation software, podcasts
The student develops a systematic plan to Concept mapping software,
address some mathematical problem or collaborative word processing
Create a Plan
task. software, MathCad,
Mathematica
The student imaginatively engages in the Word processing software,
development of a student project, videocamera, animation tools,
Create a Product invention, or artifact, such as a new MathCad, Mathematica,
fractal, a tessellation, or another creative Geometer Sketchpad
product.
The student creates a mathematical Computer programming,
process that others might use, test or robotics, Mathematica,
Create a Process
replicate, essentially engaging in MathCad, Inspire Data, video
mathematical creativity. creation software