Skip to main content
Log in

Beginning the Process of Rethinking Mathematics Instruction: A Professional Development Program

  • Published:
Journal of Mathematics Teacher Education Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

This article describes a professional development program that introduces middle school teachers to an inquiry approach to mathematics instruction as a vehicle to reform their teaching of mathematics. The program is characterized by the use of a few illustrative units that provide an integrated context for experiences as learners and experiences as teachers. Project participants consisted of mathematics and special education teachers in school-based support teams led by school facilitators. Results suggest that the illustrative units were of considerable value in promoting reform. The benefits of including an heterogeneous group of teachers in the same professional development program and of involving teachers from the same school are also discussed.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

REFERENCES

  • Bishop, A. (1988). Mathematical enculturation. Dodrecht, The Netherlands: Kluwer.

    Google Scholar 

  • Borasi, R. (1992). Learning mathematics through inquiry. Portsmouth, NH: Heinemann.

    Google Scholar 

  • Borasi, R. (1995). Developing area formulas: an in-depth story of the area unit. Preliminary report to the National Science Foundation for the project #TPE-9153812.

  • Borasi, R. (1996). Reconceiving mathematics instruction: A focus on errors. Norwood, NJ: Ablex.

    Google Scholar 

  • Callard, C. (1996). Investigating tessellations to learn geometry: An example of planning and implementing an inquiry unit. Preliminary report to the National Science Foundation for the project #TPE-9153812.

  • Carpenter, T. & Fennema, E. (1991). Research and Cognitively Guided Instruction. In E. Fennema, T. Carpenter & S. Lamon (Eds.), Integrating research on teaching and learning mathematics (1-16). Albany, NY: State University of New York Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Clarke, D. (1994). Ten key principles from research for the professional development of mathematics teachers. In D.B. Aichele & A.F. Coxford (Eds.), Professional development for teachers of mathematics (37-48). Reston, VA: National Council of Teachers of Mathematics.

    Google Scholar 

  • Fennema, E. & Nelson, B.S. (1997). Mathematics teachers in transition. Mahwah, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates.

    Google Scholar 

  • Friel, S. & Bright, G. (1997). Reflecting on our work: NSF teacher enhancement in K-6 mathematics. Lanham, MA: University Press of America.

    Google Scholar 

  • Grouws, D. (1992). Handbook of research on mathematics teaching and learning. New York: MacMillan Publishing.

    Google Scholar 

  • HMSO (1982). Mathematics counts. London, UK: Author.

    Google Scholar 

  • Loucks-Horsley, S., Hewson, P.W., Love, N. & Stiles, K.E. (1998). Designing professional development for teachers of science and mathematics. Thousand Oaks, CA: Corwin Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • National Council of Teachers ofMathematics (NCTM). (1989). Curriculum and evaluation standards for school mathematics. Reston, VA: Author.

    Google Scholar 

  • National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM). (1991). Professional standards for teaching mathematics. Reston, VA: Author.

    Google Scholar 

  • Schifter, D. (1998). Learning mathematics from teaching: From a teachers' seminar to the classroom. Journal of Mathematics Teacher Education, 1, 55-87.

    Google Scholar 

  • Schifter, D. & Fosnot, C.T. (1993). Reconstructing mathematics education: Stories of teachers meeting the challenge of reform. New York: Teachers College Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Schön, D.A. (1983). The reflective practitioner: How professionals think in action. New York: Basic Books.

    Google Scholar 

  • Simon, M. (1994). Learning mathematics and learning to teach: Learning cycles in mathematics teacher education. Educational Studies in Mathematics, 22, 309-331.

    Google Scholar 

  • Simon, M. & Schifter, D. (1991). Towards a constructivist perspective: An intervention study of mathematics teacher development. Educational Studies in Mathematics, 22, 309-331.

    Google Scholar 

  • Thompson, A. (1992). Teachers' beliefs and conceptions: A synthesis of the research. In D. Grouws (Ed.), Handbook of research on mathematics teaching and learning (127-146). New York: MacMillan Publishing.

    Google Scholar 

  • Thornton, C. & Langrall, C. (1997). Mathematics instruction for elementary students with learning disabilities. The Journal of Learning Disabilities, 30(2), 142-150.

    Google Scholar 

  • U.S. Department of Education, National Center for Education Statistics. (1996). Pursuing excellence: A study of U.S. eighth-grade mathematics and science achievement in international context. Washington, DC: Author

    Google Scholar 

  • Woodward, A., Borasi, R. & Packman, D. (1991). Supporting middle school learning disabled students in the mainstream mathematics classroom. A proposal to the National Science Foundation.

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Borasi, R., Fonzi, J., Smith, C.F. et al. Beginning the Process of Rethinking Mathematics Instruction: A Professional Development Program. Journal of Mathematics Teacher Education 2, 49–78 (1999). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1009986606120

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1009986606120

Keywords

Navigation