USING CONTRADICTIONS IN A TEACHING AND LEARNING DEVELOPMENT PROJECT

Yrjö Engeström (2001) asserts that contradictions in an activity system create potential for change and development. In this report a large research project aimed at developing mathematics teaching and learning is described and it is shown how Activity Theory can be applied to support understanding and progress. The project is producing evidence of contradictions that it is hoped will have a role in achieving its goals. We use accounts from the early stages of field work to outline some of the contradictions that are being encountered