Mathematical Cognition in Metaphors Expressed Through Photography / Matematyczne Poznanie Poprzez Metafory Wyrażone Fotografią

Abstract The paper signals the foundations of the new method of teaching mathematics that is currently emerging from the concept of human cognition and the constructivist paradigm. The presented examples of the hermeneutic research conducted for 17 years are concerned with an analysis of the formulated mathematical problems in the language of photographic metaphors. Thoughts expressed through the photographic image and text consisting of the caption and the description (dual coding) reveal the structure of cognitive networks of authors of photographs, which has a special significance in creation of the new didactics that will fulfil the needs of the contemporary photosociety. Mathematical photoeducation free transition between art and mathematics lies on the student’s artistic sensitivity and on enlivening the student’s cognitive expression in a space distant from the classroom (at a lake, in the playground, on the skating ring or during a field excursion to a mineral museum). It utilizes the student’s natural interest in observable natural phenomena and in man-made objects. This kind of creativity, which relies on independent uncovering or constructing of knowledge with the help of a photographic camera, opens the gates to an entirely new space of mathematical didactics, as it brings to students’ awareness specific ways of association leading to accomplishment cognitive processes in relation to abstract mathematical objects.