Proporcionalidade directa como função: da perfeição à realidade a bordo de um robot

Abstract

This paper relates part of a research whose aim is to describe, analyse and understand how students learn mathematics having robots as mediators of learning. A qualitative methodology was chosen, aiming the research at describing, analysing and understanding 8th grade students’ mathematical activity while learning functions. The pedagogical proposal consisted in five tasks which included the use of simple robots Robotics Invention System, Lego Mindstorm, two worksheets and a two-stage written test.

Data analysis and conclusions drawing were carried out bearing in mind the role played by robots in solving mathematical problems, in the construction of representations, in the learning of functions and in the improvement of mathematical competence. In this paper we will discuss how robots contribute to the learning of mathematics, in particular direct proportionality functions.