Developing students' flexibility on pattern generalization

Abstract

This paper refers to a study developed with fifty-four 6th grade students. The main goal was to analyse their performance when solving tasks involving the generalization of visual patterns. In order to better understand this problem we focussed on the following features: type of generalization strategies used; difficulties that emerged from students’ work; and the role played by visualization on their reasoning. One of the main purposes of mathematics education is to promote flexibility in exploring mathematical ideas, through the use and combination of different methods to solve problems. In this sense, in this paper we will present results related to the implementation of some of the tasks.