What do you Meme? An Investigation of Social Media and Mathematical Identity

Gregory Benoit; Gabor Salopek

doi:10.21423/jume-v16i1a490

Authors

Gregory Benoit Boston University https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8042-2702
Gabor Salopek

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.21423/jume-v16i1a490

Keywords:

internet memes, Popular culture, Math Identity, Sociotechnological, Critical Mathematics

Abstract

Mathematical spaces extend far beyond the classroom and physical environments into sociotechnological spaces. Today’s students have more to consider than just their face-to-face experiences with mathematics inside or outside the classroom; they have the online perspectives of others to consider as well. To gain critical insight, research was conducted with semi-structured focus groups using an interactive mathematics internet meme activity. Using positioning theory, this article highlights students’ stances and three storylines as conceptual tools for better understanding their offline and online mathematical identities. Results show the two spaces are not mutually exclusive and students are succumbing and adhering to a larger hegemonic construction of mathematics found in the online communities with various points of tension found.

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