Meaning's Routes in Activities of Mathematical Modeling: a look on the interpretants

Abstract

In this article, we present results of a research in which we investigate evidence of assignment of meaning in mathematical modeling activities. The research is based on theoretical assumptions of mathematical modeling and on Peircean Semiotic focusing on theory of the interpretants signs. The search for evidence related to the attribution of meaning is permeated by the analysis of the interpretants produced by a group of students of a course degree in mathematics during steps associated with the development of modeling activities. Through such interpretants signs, we infer about the attribution of meaning to the problem and to mathematics during the development of the modeling activity analyzed, describing meaning's routes.

Keywords:
Mathematical Modeling; Peircean Semiotic; Interpretants; Assignment of Meaning