ERIC Number: EJ764982
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2005-Jul
Pages: 33
Abstractor: Author
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0021-8251
EISSN: N/A
Available Date: N/A
A Spectrum of Pedagogical Awareness for Undergraduate Mathematics: From "Tricks" to "Techniques"
Nardi, Elena; Jaworski, Barbara; Hegedus, Stephen
Journal for Research in Mathematics Education, v36 n4 p284-316 Jul 2005
We describe a four-level spectrum of pedagogical awareness (SPA) that emerged from the analysis of six undergraduate mathematics tutors' (1) conceptualizations of their first-year students' difficulties; (2) descriptive accounts of their strategies for facilitating the overcoming of these difficulties; and (3) self-reflective accounts regarding their teaching practices. These were recorded in 45 semistructured interviews conducted during the 8-week Oxford University term and following minimally participant observation of their tutorials. We exemplify the four levels of SPA, across these three strands, in 12 characteristic examples where tutors discuss episodes from the observed tutorials. The design and analysis of the study reflect three underlying theoretical perspectives: constructivist, sociocultural, and enactivist. Finally, we draw on participants' comments to suggest that our methodology encouraged reflection, raised awareness, and demonstrated the pedagogical potential of collaboration between mathematicians and mathematics educators. We see such awareness and collaborative goodwill as prerequisites to conceptualizing and implementing reform of pedagogical practice. (Contains 5 tables and 5 footnotes.)
Descriptors: Teaching Methods, Tutors, Participant Observation, Constructivism (Learning), Mathematics Instruction, Undergraduate Students, Foreign Countries, Sociocultural Patterns, Reflective Teaching, Interviews, Research Design, Consciousness Raising, Pedagogical Content Knowledge, Mathematics Teachers, Professional Development
National Council of Teachers of Mathematics. 1906 Association Drive, Reston, VA 20191-1502. Tel: 800-235-7566; Tel: 703-620-3702; Fax: 703-476-2970; e-mail: orders@nctm.org; Web site: http://www.nctm.org/publications/
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Evaluative
Education Level: Higher Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: United Kingdom (England)
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A
Author Affiliations: N/A