Abstract

The reference Mathematical Working Space (reference MWS) ensures the principles and orientations of the development of mathematical work in an educational context. In this chapter, we explain how it can be described and accessed through different approaches – institutional, epistemological, cognitive. We situate the role it plays in the theory and think about its users and developers. We also show how it can be used to characterize mathematical work. Finally, we address the specific issue of paradigms in the theory of Mathematical Working Spaces and the correlation with the reference MWS.