Abstract
Drawing on various approaches to the study of mathematics learning, Gersten, Jordan, and Flojo (in this issue) explore the implications of this research for identifying children at risk for developing mathematical disabilities. One of the key topics Gersten et al. consider in their review is that of “number sense.” I expand on their preliminary effort by examining in detail the diverse set of components purported to be encompassed by this construct. My analysis reveals some major differences between the ways in which number sense is defined in the mathematical cognition literature and its definition in the literature in mathematics education. I also present recent empirical evidence and theoretical perspectives bearing on the importance of measuring the speed of making magnitude comparisons. Finally, I discuss how differing conceptions of number sense inform the issue of whether and to what extent it may be teachable.
Keywords
Number sensePsychologyConstruct (python library)Set (abstract data type)Learning disabilitySense (electronics)Common senseMathematics educationCognitionCognitive psychologyEpistemologyDevelopmental psychologyComputer science
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Publication Info
- Year
- 2005
- Type
- review
- Volume
- 38
- Issue
- 4
- Pages
- 333-339
- Citations
- 464
- Access
- Closed
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Cite This
Daniel B. Berch
(2005).
Making Sense of Number Sense.
Journal of Learning Disabilities
, 38
(4)
, 333-339.
https://doi.org/10.1177/00222194050380040901
Identifiers
- DOI
- 10.1177/00222194050380040901