Danish, J. A., & Enyedy, N. (2006). Unpacking the Mediation of Invented Representations. Paper presented at the International Conference of the Learning Sciences, Bloomington, IN. Science Education, 91(1), 1-35.

ABSTRACT: In this paper we compare two contexts where students were inventing representations; a 2nd and 3rd grade classroom creating a shared representation, and a kindergarten and 1st grade classroom creating unique representations. Contexts for developing shared representations are those in which a class attempts to jointly construct one representational form to solve a given problem. In contrast, contexts for inventing unique representations emphasize individual representational choices with no explicit attempt to create a shared representational form. Drawing on and comparing data from two recent studies we use the Negotiated Representational Mediators (NeRM) framework to analyze young children’s activities oriented towards the production, evaluation, and modification of representational forms. Both cultural contexts lead to a convergence toward normative representations as well as continuing to diverge in the form of individual acts of creativity and agency. We argue that despite these similar trends, the different contexts support unique aspects of representational practice.