Significance and feelings of students when they make mistakes in Math

Abstract

Grounded in Piaget’s theory, the present research examined the role of affectivity in the meanings of the error of 15 students in the 6th grade of elementary school that frequent a support room for pupils presenting difficulties, especially in the discipline of mathematics. The research was characterized as qualitative, and it was based on the critical Piagetian clinical method. The plan for data collection was distributed in two stages: E1 - View of the resource room; E2 - Conducting semi-structured interviews to identify the meanings of students. As a result, we obtained: in general, the students relate to the error situations as non-compliance with the rules and especially as disobedience to the teacher. In the teacher´s presence, the ocorrence of the error produces feelings like guilt and despair; with the relationship with colleagues, there is not much difference, since the error is related to feelings of guilt, anger and discouragement. With respect to the learning process, the students understand the error as an action out of this process, demonstrating little interest, effort and involvement.