Michele Cerulli

Papers

Total Citations

H-Index

About

Michele Cerulli is a mathematics education researcher whose work centers on the innovative use of technology to teach probability and randomness to young learners. His most influential contribution is the pioneering integration of LEGO robotics into the mathematics classroom, as demonstrated in his highly cited 2005 paper "Randomness and LEGO robots" (9 citations). This work, presented at CERME 4, established a novel pedagogical approach where physical, programmable robots help 12-13 year old students develop intuitive understanding of stochastic concepts. Cerulli's research program extends beyond robotics, as shown in his 2007 paper "A microworld to implant a germ of probability" (2 citations), which reports on a long-term experiment where students first explore randomness in daily life and with LEGO robots before transitioning to digital microworlds. His work represents an important bridge between concrete manipulation and abstract probabilistic thinking, offering educators practical, engaging methods for introducing complex mathematical ideas. Though his citation counts are modest, Cerulli's contributions are notable for their creativity and pedagogical insight, demonstrating how carefully designed technological environments can fundamentally reshape mathematics learning at the crucial middle school level.