Le Contrat Didactique, éléments pérennes, ruptures globales

International audienceThe contrat didactique focuses on the respective "teacher" and "student" in relation to the knowledge that is taught. It was introduced first by Guy Brousseau (France) to explain rules and mutual expectations for mathematical behavior, on the part of both teacher and student, that are observed within each subject of study. Changes in particular aspects of the contrat didactique are part of the daily functioning of the classroom. The contrat is modified whenever a new subject matter is introduced , or when students need to change activities with regard to the same subject matter. These changes in the contrat didactique are an essential part of the progression of the mathematics course: they give the rythm of this progression. As some aspects of the contrat didactique change, some of its invariant aspects become apparent and are reinforced. These are the permanent clause In certain cases, particular subject matter can threaten aspects of the contrat that up to now have been shown to be invariant. It was those aspects of the contrat which define the respective roles of the teacher and the student, in relation to the knowledge