Guiding Explorations: Design Principles and Functions of Interactive Diagrams

As part of a long-term research project about the design of guided inquiry in mathematics classrooms, we studied the design principles and the functions of a specific class of interactive digital diagrams called narrating interactive diagrams. These diagrams are designed to provide a structure for the available options in explorations. They provide tools to promote inquiry, and at the same time set boundaries to guide the inquiry. They also provide a framework and narration of the story to be learned in the process of working on the task. The authors explore whether and how interactive diagrams centered upon an animation of multi-process motion and parallel time-position graphs guide students' inquiry. To educators, who are challenged by the design and the implementation of interactive mathematics instructional materials, this study offers ways and terms to think about designs that limit the student's action and so support guidance, and at the same time remain an open space for student ideas.