ERIC Number: EJ1138383
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2017-May
Pages: 13
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1863-9690
EISSN: N/A
Research on Teaching Practice in a Portuguese Initial Secondary Mathematics Teacher Education Program
da Ponte, João Pedro; Santos, Leonor; Oliveira, Hélia; Henriques, Ana
ZDM: The International Journal on Mathematics Education, v49 n2 p291-303 May 2017
In teacher education, a key issue is how prospective teachers learn. At the University of Lisbon, based on an inquiry-based approach to mathematics learning, we developed a secondary school mathematics teacher education program, in which a central feature is the elaboration of a final investigative report based on teaching practice. In this paper, our aim is to understand the professional learning opportunities and difficulties recognized by prospective teachers (PT) in their final reports, by addressing the following research questions: (1) What didactical choices do PT mention regarding the approach to teaching, the use of tasks, resources and assessment strategies in their teaching practices? (2) What transversal elements of teaching practices do they recognize as enabling their professional development? and (3) What elements of the investigative work do PT refer to as major professional learning outcomes? Using content analysis, we reviewed, coded, and analyzed all 38 reports produced so far in the program. The results suggest that the PT embraced an inquiry-based approach to learning, valuing the role of suitable tasks and of whole class discussions. They also valued reflection and collaboration as practices that support professional development. Prospective teachers also indicated some difficulties and challenges in doing this investigation based on their teaching practice, but even so they tended to regard it a learning opportunity. We conclude that the final report, by its content, structure, and working processes as framed in this teaching education program, supports participants' development as teachers who hold research in positive regard.
Descriptors: Foreign Countries, Educational Practices, Preservice Teacher Education, Preservice Teachers, Secondary School Teachers, Mathematics Teachers, Preferences, Student Teacher Attitudes, Professional Development, Content Analysis, Coding, Active Learning, Inquiry
Springer. 233 Spring Street, New York, NY 10013. Tel: 800-777-4643; Tel: 212-460-1500; Fax: 212-348-4505; e-mail: service-ny@springer.com; Web site: http://www.springerlink.com
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Higher Education; Postsecondary Education; Secondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Portugal (Lisbon)
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A