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Seeking Intersections: Math Degrees, Beliefs, and Elementary Teacher Knowledge

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Abstract

Some views of elementary teacher preparation may include the idea that undergraduate mathematics courses are useful or even crucial for prospective teachers to have. This study sought to identify teacher candidates with mathematics degrees, in order to study their mathematical preparation. The identified prospective teachers were studied to investigate initial understanding of the conceptual underpinnings of elementary mathematics, as well as their beliefs about the importance of conceptual learning. Participants were given a written instrument related to elementary school–level conceptual mathematics knowledge, administered at the beginning and end of an elementary (up to grade 8) mathematics curriculum and instruction (“methods”) course. Prospective teachers with university mathematics backgrounds did not appear generally well-prepared in terms of their ability to model or explain the conceptual basis of common elementary school concepts, although they generally claimed to feel such understanding was important. After taking part in the methods course, which focused strongly on experiences learning the mathematical ideas conceptually, they were able to demonstrate increased understanding of the necessary concepts, models, and reasoning related to elementary mathematics teaching.

Résumé

Certains points de vue sur la formation des enseignants au primaire partent du principe que les cours de mathématiques du premier cycle sont utiles, voire indispensables, aux futurs enseignants. Cette étude vise à identifier les candidats à l’enseignement qui sont titulaires d’un diplôme en mathématiques afin de se pencher sur leur niveau de préparation en mathématiques. Les futurs enseignants identifiés ont fait l’objet d’une étude visant à analyser leur compréhension initiale des fondements conceptuels des mathématiques au primaire, ainsi que leurs convictions quant à l'importance de l'apprentissage par concepts. Les participants ont répondu à un questionnaire écrit portant sur les connaissances en mathématiques conceptuelles au primaire, administré au début et à la fin d’un cours de méthodologie dans le cadre d’un programme d’enseignement des mathématiques au primaire (jusqu’à la 8e année). En général, les futurs enseignants ayant une formation universitaire en mathématiques ne semblaient pas très bien préparés pour ce qui est de leur capacité à modéliser ou à expliquer les fondements conceptuels de notions prévues à l’école primaire, bien qu'ils aient généralement souligné l’importance d’une telle compréhension. Après avoir participé au cours de méthodologie, fortement axé sur les expériences d’apprentissage conceptuel des notions mathématiques, ils ont fait preuve d’une meilleure compréhension des concepts, des modèles et des raisonnements nécessaires à l’enseignement des mathématiques au primaire.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Wilfrid Laurier University, Waterloo, Canada

    Jennifer Holm

  2. Lakehead University, Thunder Bay, Canada

    Ann Kajander

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  1. Jennifer Holm
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  2. Ann Kajander
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Correspondence to Jennifer Holm.

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Holm, J., Kajander, A. Seeking Intersections: Math Degrees, Beliefs, and Elementary Teacher Knowledge. Can. J. Sci. Math. Techn. Educ. 20, 27–41 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s42330-019-00069-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s42330-019-00069-3

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