This study analyzes the mathematical knowledge of 40 preservice Chilean Early Childhood and Primary Education teachers when designing mathematical tasks on patterns, in the context of teaching early algebra. Based on the domains of the Mathematical Knowledge for Teaching (MKT) model, we have adopted a descriptive qualitative methodological…

Reform movements in mathematics education advocate that mathematical argumentation play a central role in all classrooms. However, research shows that mathematics teachers at all grade level find it challenging to support argumentation in mathematics classrooms. This study examines the role of teachers' mathematical knowledge in teachers' support…

The importance of students being acquainted with algebraic ideas before secondary education has been revealed in the research literature. It is therefore essential that prospective elementary teachers (PTs) be prepared to instill an early algebra perspective in their teaching. However, PTs often show difficulties in algebra content knowledge,…

Research indicates that a large percentage of students have misconceptions of the equal sign and that this can be detrimental to their mathematical pursuits as they progress through algebra. In order for students to develop a strong understanding of the meaning of the equal sign, algebra teachers must be aware of the viewpoints their students will…

Elementary pre-service teachers in an upper-division algebra mathematics content course explored graphing through the use of Calculator-Based Rangers™ (CBRs). This study explores how they used the "Distance Match" feature of the technology to engage in algebraic thinking. Operating CBR technology, pre-service teachers' perceptions…

Professional learning experiences (PLEs) provide teachers with opportunities to improve their understanding of mathematics content and teaching practices. However, PLEs are often conducted in person and in small groups--hence costly and localized. The purpose of the current study was to explore different ways for teachers to engage in PLEs and how…

Researchers have argued that integrating early algebra into elementary grades will better prepare students for algebra. However, currently little research exists to guide teacher preparation programs on how to prepare prospective elementary teachers to teach early algebra. This study examines the insights and challenges that prospective teachers…

"A Commitment to Teaching: Toward More Efficacious Teacher Preparation" introduces the reader to a collection of thoughtful works by authors that represent current research and thinking about teacher self-efficacy and teacher preparation. It is the intent of the book to provide the reader with current and relevant knowledge concerning…

The following research report documents a professional development that focused on promoting understanding of algebraic learning progressions across vertical teams of elementary and secondary teachers. Analyzing quantitative data from the pre and post MKT assessment and qualitative data from lesson reflections and final course reflections,…

Empirical work that connects content knowledge to teaching practice has become increasingly important in discussions around a professional knowledge base for teaching. This paper aims to continue that work, reporting a single exploratory case study of one elementary mathematics teacher. The purpose of the study was to investigate how introducing…

The Alabama State Department of Education (ALSDE) was grappling with several issues including: (1) A respectable rate of growth in student achievement for both fourth- and eighth-grade math in the state of Alabama, as measured by the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), but below the national average; and (2) A growing concern about…

This article is based on a project that investigated teachers' knowledge in teaching an important aspect of algebra in the middle years of schooling--functions, relations and joint variation. As part of the project, 105 upper primary teachers were surveyed during their participation in Contemporary Teaching and Learning of Mathematics, a research…

This study is the part of a larger study on investigating Hong Kong (HK) prospective teachers' (PTs) subject matter knowledge (SMK) and Pedagogical Content Knowledge (PCK). In this paper, five HK PTs' and PC on teaching one topic regarding square root were investigated. The results suggest that insufficient understanding on the concept of…

This paper examines a pre-service teacher's content knowledge for teaching early algebra from two perspectives, i.e. using "Rowland's Knowledge Quartet" theory and "Ball's framework for Mathematical Knowledge for Testing" (MKfT). The study intends to examine the differences between the influences using each framework and to…

This paper discusses upper primary school teachers' perspectives on changes to their knowledge and practice through participation in a design-based research project. It analyses their experiences using Clarke and Hollingsworth's (2002) empirically-founded model for professional growth to understand more about the mechanisms for change that might…