written by Katrina E. Black and Michael C. Wittmann

A problem in resource theory is describing the creation of new, high-level resources. We model resource creation by analyzing four student groups separating variables during a group quiz on air resistance. We assess each group's fluency and two observables: use of overt (such as divide, subtract, equals) and covert (such as moving, bringing, or pulling over) mathematical language and use of accompanying gestures (such as circling, grabbing, or sliding). For each group, the type of language and gesture used corresponds to how easily they carry out separation of variables. We create resource graphs for each group to organize our observations and use these graphs to model the creation of the procedural resource Separate Variables.

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Published November 11, 2009
Last Modified October 3, 2009

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