Reflective abstraction constructs and agents of change framework¶

Design · All designs
Evidence · 2 claims (2 for) · 1 study (1 causal), q2 · 1 of 1 report an effect size · 2 claims rest on one study

Description¶

The article's framework combines Piaget's reflective abstraction constructs — interiorization, coordination, encapsulation, and generalization — with Dubinsky's added construct of reversal, and pairs them with four agents of change that can initiate reflective abstraction: individual, peer, instructor, and curricular. The article defines each agent, e.g., "Peer: A classmate challenges or questions an individual." It uses this framework to design the experimental calculus curriculum on limits and to code student protocols.

Design Implications¶

Context¶

Requirements¶

Curriculum activities, peer group work, instructor debriefing, and individual exercises must each be present so each agent can challenge or question students

Constraints¶

The framework was applied to the concept of limit in first-semester college calculus at a community college

Target Learners¶

first-semester college calculus students

Learning Goals¶

conceptual understanding of the limit concept

Claims¶

Examples¶

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Key Sources¶

Cappetta, R.W., and Zollman, A. (2013). Agents of Change in Promoting Reflective Abstraction: A Quasi-Experimental Study on Limits in College Calculus. REDIMAT – Journal of Research in Mathematics Education, 2(3), 343-357. https://doi.org/10.4471/redimat.2013.35

Page metadata

Field	Value
`type`	`design`
`id`	`reflective-abstraction-agents-of-change-framework`
`title`	`Reflective abstraction constructs and agents of change framework`
`description`	`The article's framework combines Piaget's reflective abstraction constructs — interiorization, coordination, encapsulation, and generalization — with Dubinsky's added construct of reversal, and pairs them with four ag...`
`status`	`review`
`generated`	by `process:settle-candidates` on `2026-11-02`
`trust`	unverified — no one has confirmed this page's content
`sources`	1 — `cappetta-2013`

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