Ninety-seven education students majoring or minoring in mathematics had their math homework examined in a Number Theory or Abstract Algebra course. Each student's homework was observed for the purpose of identifying common errors and misconceptions when writing mathematical proofs. The results showed that students collectively made four…

This paper reports a study on retention of core concepts in differential and integral calculus by examining the knowledge of two pre-service mathematics students. The study is conducted using a mixed method approach and the obtained data were analyzed using theory of three worlds of mathematics. The results showed that having good understanding of…

This article outlines a discussion had by a group of prospective teachers regarding questions that remained after their previous experiences as students. The discussion was focused on the rules associated with the division of decimals. Prospective teachers' initial discussion showed a strong tendency to handle the rules as taken-for-granted…

This paper discusses the results of a pilot study that explored how prospective secondary school teachers are shaped by learning experiences during their undergraduate mathematics education. The collaborative study, which was conducted by a mathematician and a mathematics educator, drew from the experiences of prospective teachers in a…

The current study investigated the effects of an undergraduate mathematics content course for pre-service elementary teachers. The participants' content knowledge was quantitatively measured using an instrument comprised of items from the Mathematical Knowledge for Teaching Measures (Hill, Schilling, & Ball, 2004). Using a one-group…

The role of a teacher is different from that in traditional mathematics instruction when the implementation of a lesson is based on students' ideas. The author's experience teaching the same lesson (of the latter format) to two different classes of pre-service teachers in an elementary mathematics methods course is described. Since whole-class…

This case study examines the ways in which a teacher education program develops prospective teachers who implement the principles of constructing mathematical knowledge via a learning discourse. The study presents and analyzes a mathematical discourse in a 4th grade class as well as the feedback conversation of prospective teachers with their…

The purpose of the study is to determine prospective mathematics teachers' views about using computer-based instructional materials in constructing mathematical concepts and to reveal how the sample computer-based instructional materials for different mathematical concepts altered their views. This is a qualitative study involving twelve…

As the recession that began in 2008 continues to impact schools at every level, collaboration among educational entities is a matter of survival because public schools and universities are strapped for resources. Therefore, they must reach out and combine their efforts to provide needed services at a minimum cost. A natural partnership exists…

Fifty-two exceptional education pre-service teachers getting a K-6 endorsement were involved in this study that investigated the changes in levels of mathematics anxiety before and after a mathematics methods course for education majors. The changes were measured with respect to the use of manipulatives and other activities to make mathematics…

Recent reforms in mathematics education have led to an increased emphasis on proof and reasoning in mathematics curricula. The National Council of Teachers of Mathematics highlights the important role that teachers' knowledge and beliefs play in shaping students' understanding of mathematics, their confidence in and outlook on mathematics…