Problem solving is often considered to be an essential part of learning mathematics. In this paper we examine the whole class interactions around problems and problem solving as they naturally occur in mathematics classrooms. Thus, we are examining students’ ordinary experiences of problem solving in their everyday mathematics lessons. Our analysis shows how students’ participate in a very narrow range of problem solving actions and that the actions that they do participate in are controlled by the teacher. This raises implications for what students perceive and interpret problem solving to be in mathematics.

<p>Students are affected by their social background, ethnic, geographic and cultural origin, languages spoken, gender, sexuality, religion, etc. Also affecting students are the more general social-political transformations (globalization, migration, changing labor markets, etc.) Whereas a lot of the social science literature in education has viewed these aspects of student <i>identity</i> and diversity as separate from each other, I aim to understand how these factors impact on student identit<i>ies</i>-work intersectionally, especially in English Language Arts (ELA) classrooms. In the referenced pilot study, I use Positioning Theory to analyze the discursive incidents around literacy learning in Texas. By analyzing students’ interactions, I begin to gain an understanding of student agentic movements and the marginalizing forces that strengthen or diminish a student’s response to learning.</p>

<p>Students are affected by their social background, ethnic, geographic and cultural origin, languages spoken, gender, sexuality, religion, etc. Also affecting students are the more general social-political transformations (globalization, migration, changing labor markets, etc.) Whereas a lot of the social science literature in education has viewed these aspects of student <i>identity</i> and diversity as separate from each other, I aim to understand how these factors impact on student identit<i>ies</i>-work intersectionally, especially in English Language Arts (ELA) classrooms. In the referenced pilot study, I use Positioning Theory to analyze the discursive incidents around literacy learning in Texas. By analyzing students’ interactions, I begin to gain an understanding of student agentic movements and the marginalizing forces that strengthen or diminish a student’s response to learning.</p>