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Open Access. Powered by Scholars. Published by Universities.®

2017

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Science and Mathematics Education

Journal of Humanistic Mathematics

Identity

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Metaphors And Mathematical Identity: Math Is Like A Tornado In Kansas, Carmen M. Latterell, Janelle L. Wilson Feb 2017

Metaphors And Mathematical Identity: Math Is Like A Tornado In Kansas, Carmen M. Latterell, Janelle L. Wilson

Journal of Humanistic Mathematics

Mathematical identity is an individual’s concept of who he or she is mathematically. In this paper, metaphors for mathematics from elementary education majors are compared to metaphors created by secondary mathematics teaching majors. The analysis demonstrates a basic difference in the mathematical identity of the two groups, with the latter group having more holistic conceptions of mathematics than the first group. Elementary education majors describe mathematics as an ongoing struggle in which the mathematics is active, and they are the victims. The secondary teaching mathematics majors describe mathematics as an ongoing struggle in which they are active.