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This review considers research related to mathematics education and cooperative learning, and discusses how teachers might assist students in cooperative groups to provide equitable opportunities to learn. I define equity in this context as the fair distribution of opportunities to learn, and argue that identity-related processes are just as central to mathematical development as content learning. I consider the link between classroom social ecologies, the interactions and positional identities that these social ecologies make available, and student learning. I close by considering unresolved questions in the field and proposing directions for future research.

Many mathematics classrooms use cooperative learning to support equitable learning environments for all students. Past research in the field has focused primarily on increasing achievement, rather than contexts that support equitable interactions. This year-long study in three secondary mathematics classes compares two activity structures-a group quiz and a presentation-by examining group interaction within the two activities. The analysis shows that groups constructed a range of work practices, including a practice focused on collaboration, one focused on individual work, and one focused on 'helping.' In addition, students adopted a variety of positions, including expert, novice, in-between and facilitator. In this data corpus, experts tended to dominate interactions during group quizzes, whereas presentation preparations were more equitable, particularly when a student was positioned as a facilitator. Based on the analysis, suggestions are provided for structuring more equitable mathematics group work.

In this article, mathematics classrooms are conceptualized as heterogeneous spaces in which multiple figured worlds come into contact. The study explores how a group of high school students drew upon several figured worlds as they navigated mathematical discussions. Results highlight 3 major points. First, the students drew on 2 primary figured worlds: a mathematics learning figured world and a figured world of friendship and romance. Both of these figured worlds were racialized and gendered, and were actively constructed and contested by the students. Second, these figured worlds offered resources for 1 African American student, Dawn, to position herself powerfully within classroom hierarchies. Third, these acts of positioning allowed Dawn to engage in mathematical practices such as conjecturing, clarifying ideas, and providing evidence.

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