A Research On IT-assisted Visual Representation Of Mathematics Knowledge

The integration of information technology with mathematics teaching is considered to be one of the breakthrough point of reform of mathematical education. Its main purpose is to improve mathematics teaching and learning, and make information technology cognitive tools of promoting learning mahematics.Three kinds of knowledge involves in the process of integration:the knowledge of information technology, mathematics knowledge and the knowledge of teaching methods. The deep understanding of the three and the organical combination of them are the necessary conditions of the effective integration.The first part of this paper, is the source and foundation of this study. Through the analysis of the information technology’s the characteristics of visual representation, mathematical knowledge’s characteristic of multi-representation and characteristic of generation,mathematics knowledge’s characteristic of representation in the human brain, we found that:representation bring the information technology, mathematics and learner together, as well as the three kinds of knowledge. Then put forward the core concept of this study--IT-assisted visual representation of mathematics knowledge, and the content "promoting learning" is:to promote the understanding of mathematics and the obtaining of mathematics structure.The second part of this paper, is the the theorical study. Firstly, according to the characteristics of information technology and Pirie-Kieren’s model of development of mathematical understanding, we study how to use IT to visualize mathematics, so as to promote mathematical understanding, including perfecting the image of mathematics, promoting the concern of mathematical nature as well as to facilitating observation review. Secondly, we study the strategy of using it to obtain the structure of mathematical relationships; finally, to due with may appear problem while using it, we study its design and use principles which are based on learning theorys.The third part of this paper, is the practice research, it is to apply the theoretical results to the actual teaching. In the teaching practice and the related experimental we find that:compared with the traditional mathematics teaching,the teaching with IT-assisted visual representation of mathematics knowledge can significantly reduce the students’cognitive load during mathematics learning in the statistical sense;and improve image; promote the concern and understanding of mathematical nature;improve students’ effect of learning mathematics. Considering limitations of time, research methods and sample capacity, the conclusion still need further verification.