Commentary 2 on Re-conceptualizing Mathematics Education as a Design Science

Abstract

The Lesh and Sriraman paper proposes a re-conceptualizing of the field of mathematics education research as that of a design science. This proposal is in line with Greeno et al.’s (1996) emphasis of a significant shift in the relationship between theoretical and practical work in educational research. Researchers should not only concentrate on the question of whether a theory yields coherent an accurate prediction, but also on the kind of research that includes developmental work in designing learning environments, formulating curricula, and assessing achievements of cognition and learning. Based on the reviewing process in educational research over the past few decades Schoenfeld (1999) concludes that the field of educational research has evolved to the point where it is possible to work on problems whose solutions help make things better in the practice of teaching and contribute to theoretical understanding. Research in understanding the nature of mathematical thinking, teaching, and learning is deeply intertwined with the use of such understanding to improve mathematics instruction, for the simple reason, that without a deep understanding of thinking, teaching and learning, no sustained progress on the “applied front” is possible. Wittmann (1998) describes mathematics education as a design science and calls attention to the importance of creative design for conceptual and practical innovations. The specific task of mathematics education can only be actualized if research and development have specific linkages with practice at their core and if the improvement of practice is merged with the progress of the field as a whole. Although the view of mathematics education as a design discipline is emerging in the community of educational and mathematics education research the major principles and methods still have to be articulated. The Lesh and Sriraman paper contributes to this discussion by outlining the motives for conducting design research and exploring its typical problems.