Skip to main content

Learning to Teach Mathematics Using Lesson Study

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
Mathematical Knowledge in Teaching

Part of the book series: Mathematics Education Library ((MELI,volume 50))

Abstract

In this chapter, we consider the use of Japanese lesson study in developing teaching practices and, in particular, the ways in which it is claimed to enhance mathematical knowledge for teaching. First, the general lesson study approach is described and its key features outlined. The findings of a study carried out in Dublin is reported and discussed, in order to examine the contribution of such an approach in the particular context of pre-service teacher education. In that study, engagement with peers in the lesson study enterprise transmuted students’ negative attitudes to mathematics into a more positive, patient willingness to learn, and an optimism that they can go on learning mathematics in teaching. The report on the Dublin study follows an overview of some of the published work reflecting claims made for the role of lesson study in focusing teachers on the knowledge for, and in, mathematics teaching.

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

Access this chapter

Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 129.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 169.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 169.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

References

  • (APEC) Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Education Network. (2008). Available online at http://www.criced.tsukuba.ac.jp/math/apec/apec2008/index_en.php

  • Corcoran, D. (2008). Developing mathematical knowledge for teaching: A three-tiered study of Irish pre-service primary teachers. Unpublished PhD thesis, University of Cambridge.

    Google Scholar 

  • Fernandez, C. (2005). Lesson study: A means for elementary teachers to develop the knowledge of mathematics needed for reform-minded teaching? Mathematical Thinking and Learning, 7(4), 265–289.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fernandez, C., Cannon, J., & Chokshi, S. (2003). A US-Japan lesson study collaboration reveals critical lenses for examining practice. Teaching and Teacher Education, 19, 171–185.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fernandez, C., & Chokshi, S. (2005). Incidental versus purposeful learning. In P. Wang-Iverson & M. Yoshida (Eds.), Building our understanding of lesson study (pp. 73–76). Philadelphia: Research for Better Schools.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kilpatrick, J., Swafford, J., & Findell, B. (Eds.). (2001). Adding it up: Helping children learn mathematics. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lave, J. (1996). Teaching, as learning in practice. Mind, Culture, and Activity, 3(3), 149–164.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lave, J., & Wenger, E. (1991). Situated learning: Legitimate peripheral participation. Cambridge, MA: Cambridge University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lewis, C., Perry, R., Hurd, J., & O’Connell, M. (2006, December). Lesson study comes of age in North America. Phi Delta Kappan, 273–281.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lewis, C., Perry, R., & Murata, A. (2006). How should research contribute to instructional improvement? The case of lesson study. Educational Researcher, 356(3), 3–14.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ma, L. (1999). Knowing and teaching elementary mathematics. Mahwah, NJ: Eralbaum.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mendick, H. (2006). Masculinities in mathematics. London: Open University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mills College Lesson Study Group. (2003). To open a cube. DVD.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mills College Lesson Study Group. (2005). How many seats? DVD.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rogoff, B., Matusov, E., & White, C. (1996). Models of teaching and learning: Participation in a community of learners. In D. Olson & N. Torrance (Eds.), The Handbook of education and human development (pp. 388–414). Oxford: Blackwell.

    Google Scholar 

  • Roth, W.-M., & Lee, Y.-L. (2006). Contradictions in theorizing and implementing communities in education. Educational Research Review, 1, 27–40. Available at http://www.sciencedirect.com

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rowland, T., Huckstep, P., & Thwaites, A. (2005). Elementary teachers’ mathematics subject knowledge: the knowledge quartet and the case of Naomi. Journal of Mathematics Teacher Education, 8(3), 255–281.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Stigler, J., & Hiebert, J. (1999). The teaching gap: Best ideas from the world’s teachers for improving education in the classroom. New York: The Free Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Takahashi, A., Watanabe, T., Yoshida, M., & Wang-Iverson, P. (2005). Improving content and pedagogical knowledge through kyozaikenyu. In P. Wang-Iverson & M. Yoshida (Eds.), Building our understanding of lesson study (pp. 101–110). Philadelphia: Research for Better School.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tall, D. (2008). Using Japanese lesson study in teaching mathematics. Scottish Mathematical Council Journal. Available online at http://www.warwick.ac.uk/staff/David.Tall/themes/lesson-study.html

  • Watanabe, T., & Wang-Iverson, P. (2005). The role of knowledgeable others. In P. Wang-Iverson & M. Yoshida (Eds.), Building our understanding of lesson study (pp. 85–92). Philadelphia: Research for Better Schools.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wenger, E. (1998). Communities of practice. Cambridge, MA: Cambridge University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Yoshida, M. (2005). An overview of lesson study. In P. Wang-Iverson & M. Yoshida (Eds.), Building our understanding of lesson study (pp. 3–14). Philadelphia: Research for Better Schools.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Dolores Corcoran .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2011 Springer Science+Business Media B.V.

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Corcoran, D., Pepperell, S. (2011). Learning to Teach Mathematics Using Lesson Study. In: Rowland, T., Ruthven, K. (eds) Mathematical Knowledge in Teaching. Mathematics Education Library, vol 50. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-90-481-9766-8_13

Download citation

Publish with us

Policies and ethics