Representations of the generalization of a functional relationship and the relation with interviewer’s mediation

Resumen

The ability to generalize and represent the generalization exhibited by eight fourth-grade students was analyzed in this descriptive study, designed around a semi-structured interview involving a task based on the linear functional relationship y=x+2. The relation of the interviewer’s mediation on students’ representations of generalization was determined on the grounds of students’ interaction with her. Four forms to represent the generalization of a functional relationship were defined. The findings confirm the importance of mediation in helping students strengthen their ability to recognize, represent and generalize functional relationships.