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Geometry in child education: from empiricist manipulation to the theory of Jean Piaget

The aim of this study is to reflect on child education teachers' geometry knowledge and the epistemological conception that characterizes their educational behavior. The discourses analysis shows us that good teachers' willingly undertake geometry study. However the non-acquaintance theory and the rooted epistemological empiricist conception indicate that the knowledge is in the objects and the manipulation of these objects is enough to achieve learning. It was possible to confirm the empiricist conception's superiority through educational practice where the children discover the geometrical forms in the world by the stimuli and material organized by the teachers. We used Jean Piaget's genetic epistemology as basis for reflection by teachers on their performance.

Children education; Geometry teaching; Discourse analysis; Learning; Piaget, Jean


Programa de Pós-Graduação em Educação para a Ciência, Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP), Faculdade de Ciências, campus de Bauru. Av. Engenheiro Luiz Edmundo Carrijo Coube, 14-01, Campus Universitário - Vargem Limpa CEP 17033-360 Bauru - SP/ Brasil , Tel./Fax: (55 14) 3103 6177 - Bauru - SP - Brazil
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