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Hong Kong teachers’ views of effective mathematics teaching and learning

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Abstract

Twelve experienced mathematics teachers in Hong Kong were invited to face-to-face semi-structured interviews to express their views about mathematics, about mathematics learning and about the teacher and teaching. Mathematics was generally regarded as a subject that is practical, logical, useful and involves thinking. In view of the abstract nature of the subject, the teachers took abstract thinking as the goal of mathematics learning. They reflected that it is not just a matter of “how” and “when”, but one should build a path so that students can proceed from the concrete to the abstract. Their conceptions of mathematics understanding were tapped. Furthermore, the roles of memorisation, practices and concrete experiences were discussed, in relation with understanding. Teaching for understanding is unanimously supported and along this line, the characteristics of an effective mathematics lesson and of an effective mathematics teacher were discussed. Though many of the participants realize that there is no fixed rule for good practices, some of the indicators were put forth. To arrive at an effective mathematics lesson, good preparation, basic teaching skills and good relationship with the students are prerequisite.

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Notes

  1. Teacher Certs. stands for Teacher Certificate, PGDE stands for Postgraduate Diploma in Education, and PDCE stands for Postgraduate Certificate in Education.

  2. These are actually the classification (learning dimensions) found in the curriculum document.

  3. Secondary 2 is equivalent to Grade 8.

  4. Just like what the same participant mentioned: given the area (of a rectangle, together with the width), one is able to find the height, though the original formula is to find the area with the width and height given.

  5. CHC is Confucian Heritage Culture, and generally refers to regions like the Chinese mainland China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Japan, and Korea.

  6. Speed = distance/time; distance = speed × time; time = distance/speed.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Curriculum and Instruction, Faculty of Education, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, 852, Hong Kong

    Ngai-Ying Wong

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  1. Ngai-Ying Wong
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Correspondence to Ngai-Ying Wong.

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Wong, NY. Hong Kong teachers’ views of effective mathematics teaching and learning. ZDM Mathematics Education 39, 301–314 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11858-007-0033-4

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