Seminar: Mathematical Flexibility: A promising focus for research and practice

Mathematical Flexibility: 
A promising focus for research and practice

Professor Jon Star
Graduate School of Education
Harvard University
 

October 13, 2025 (Monday)
10:00 – 11:30
Room 203, Runme Shaw Building, HKU
Chair: Professor Qiaoping Zhang
 

Abstract:
Mathematical flexibility is increasingly recognized as an important construct of interest for both researchers and practitioners in mathematics education. Flexibility can be characterized as a learner’s willingness to change strategies based on the particular problem-solving conditions or goals. In this talk, I first provide an introduction to flexibility. I then explore different ways that flexibility has been assessed, highlighting successes and challenges in the various forms of assessment. I then present recent empirical research results on flexibility, and I conclude by suggesting some promising areas for future research on flexibility.
 

About the speaker: 
Jon Star is an educational psychologist who studies children's learning of mathematics in middle and high school, particularly algebra. Star's current research explores the development of flexibility in mathematical problem solving, with flexibility defined as knowledge of multiple strategies for solving mathematics problems and the ability to adaptively choose among known strategies on a particular problem. Star also investigates instructional and curricular interventions that may promote the development of mathematical understanding. In addition, Star is interested in the preservice preparation of middle and secondary mathematics teachers. In addition to his teaching and research responsibilities at Harvard, Star also teaches mathematics at a local middle school.
 

~ All are welcome ~