Preservice Elementary Teachers' Beliefs about the Role of Definition in the Learning of Mathematics

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Title: Preservice Elementary Teachers' Beliefs about the Role of Definition in the Learning of Mathematics
Language: English
Authors: Cox, Dana C., Harper, Suzanne R., Keiser, Jane M.
Source: Journal of Educational Research and Innovation. 2021 9(1).
Availability: University of Northern Colorado, College of Education and Behavioral Sciences. 501 20th Street, Greeley, CO 80639. Web site: https://digscholarship.unco.edu/jeri/
Peer Reviewed: Y
Page Count: 24
Publication Date: 2021
Document Type: Journal Articles
Reports - Research
Education Level: Higher Education
Postsecondary Education
Elementary Education
Descriptors: Preservice Teachers, Elementary School Teachers, Mathematics Instruction, Definitions, Student Attitudes, Geometry, Computer Software, Beliefs, Empathy
ISSN: 2153-1846
Abstract: Answering a call to emphasize the act of defining over the learning of definitions, we have shifted the content of a geometry course for preservice elementary teachers (PSETs) away from comparing and applying pre-written classification structures to classroom episodes centered on authoring definitions for special quadrilaterals. PSETs complete activities using geometry software, and collaboratively create definitions for specific quadrilaterals. In order to fully understand the potential of this curricular shift, we asked preservice elementary mathematics teachers' to share their perceptions of the process of writing mathematical definitions. Data from participant reflections were analyzed for themes related to mathematical definition and the act of defining. The framework that resulted from iterative discussions by the researchers examined beliefs about the nature of definition and mathematical empathy (Araki, 2015). Findings also suggest that beliefs about authority and positioning students as authors of mathematics are associated with mathematical empathy. Experiences related to the process of defining enabled PSETs to see far greater subjectivity in the discipline of mathematics and to consider, perhaps for the first time, that they, too, were both able and deserving of becoming authors of mathematical ideas.
Abstractor: As Provided
Entry Date: 2022
Accession Number: EJ1339762
Database: ERIC
FullText Text:
  Availability: 0
CustomLinks:
  – Url: https://eric.ed.gov/contentdelivery/servlet/ERICServlet?accno=EJ1339762
    Name: ERIC Full Text
    Category: fullText
    Text: Full Text from ERIC
Header DbId: eric
DbLabel: ERIC
An: EJ1339762
AccessLevel: 3
PubType: Academic Journal
PubTypeId: academicJournal
PreciseRelevancyScore: 0
IllustrationInfo
Items – Name: Title
  Label: Title
  Group: Ti
  Data: Preservice Elementary Teachers' Beliefs about the Role of Definition in the Learning of Mathematics
– Name: Language
  Label: Language
  Group: Lang
  Data: English
– Name: Author
  Label: Authors
  Group: Au
  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Cox%2C+Dana+C%2E%22">Cox, Dana C.</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Harper%2C+Suzanne+R%2E%22">Harper, Suzanne R.</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Keiser%2C+Jane+M%2E%22">Keiser, Jane M.</searchLink>
– Name: TitleSource
  Label: Source
  Group: Src
  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="SO" term="%22Journal+of+Educational+Research+and+Innovation%22"><i>Journal of Educational Research and Innovation</i></searchLink>. 2021 9(1).
– Name: Avail
  Label: Availability
  Group: Avail
  Data: University of Northern Colorado, College of Education and Behavioral Sciences. 501 20th Street, Greeley, CO 80639. Web site: https://digscholarship.unco.edu/jeri/
– Name: PeerReviewed
  Label: Peer Reviewed
  Group: SrcInfo
  Data: Y
– Name: Pages
  Label: Page Count
  Group: Src
  Data: 24
– Name: DatePubCY
  Label: Publication Date
  Group: Date
  Data: 2021
– Name: TypeDocument
  Label: Document Type
  Group: TypDoc
  Data: Journal Articles<br />Reports - Research
– Name: Audience
  Label: Education Level
  Group: Audnce
  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="EL" term="%22Higher+Education%22">Higher Education</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="EL" term="%22Postsecondary+Education%22">Postsecondary Education</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="EL" term="%22Elementary+Education%22">Elementary Education</searchLink>
– Name: Subject
  Label: Descriptors
  Group: Su
  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Preservice+Teachers%22">Preservice Teachers</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Elementary+School+Teachers%22">Elementary School Teachers</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Mathematics+Instruction%22">Mathematics Instruction</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Definitions%22">Definitions</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Student+Attitudes%22">Student Attitudes</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Geometry%22">Geometry</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Computer+Software%22">Computer Software</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Beliefs%22">Beliefs</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Empathy%22">Empathy</searchLink>
– Name: ISSN
  Label: ISSN
  Group: ISSN
  Data: 2153-1846
– Name: Abstract
  Label: Abstract
  Group: Ab
  Data: Answering a call to emphasize the act of defining over the learning of definitions, we have shifted the content of a geometry course for preservice elementary teachers (PSETs) away from comparing and applying pre-written classification structures to classroom episodes centered on authoring definitions for special quadrilaterals. PSETs complete activities using geometry software, and collaboratively create definitions for specific quadrilaterals. In order to fully understand the potential of this curricular shift, we asked preservice elementary mathematics teachers' to share their perceptions of the process of writing mathematical definitions. Data from participant reflections were analyzed for themes related to mathematical definition and the act of defining. The framework that resulted from iterative discussions by the researchers examined beliefs about the nature of definition and mathematical empathy (Araki, 2015). Findings also suggest that beliefs about authority and positioning students as authors of mathematics are associated with mathematical empathy. Experiences related to the process of defining enabled PSETs to see far greater subjectivity in the discipline of mathematics and to consider, perhaps for the first time, that they, too, were both able and deserving of becoming authors of mathematical ideas.
– Name: AbstractInfo
  Label: Abstractor
  Group: Ab
  Data: As Provided
– Name: DateEntry
  Label: Entry Date
  Group: Date
  Data: 2022
– Name: AN
  Label: Accession Number
  Group: ID
  Data: EJ1339762
PLink https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=eric&AN=EJ1339762
RecordInfo BibRecord:
  BibEntity:
    Languages:
      – Text: English
    PhysicalDescription:
      Pagination:
        PageCount: 24
    Subjects:
      – SubjectFull: Preservice Teachers
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Elementary School Teachers
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Mathematics Instruction
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Definitions
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Student Attitudes
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Geometry
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Computer Software
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Beliefs
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Empathy
        Type: general
    Titles:
      – TitleFull: Preservice Elementary Teachers' Beliefs about the Role of Definition in the Learning of Mathematics
        Type: main
  BibRelationships:
    HasContributorRelationships:
      – PersonEntity:
          Name:
            NameFull: Cox, Dana C.
      – PersonEntity:
          Name:
            NameFull: Harper, Suzanne R.
      – PersonEntity:
          Name:
            NameFull: Keiser, Jane M.
    IsPartOfRelationships:
      – BibEntity:
          Dates:
            – D: 01
              M: 01
              Type: published
              Y: 2021
          Identifiers:
            – Type: issn-electronic
              Value: 2153-1846
          Numbering:
            – Type: volume
              Value: 9
            – Type: issue
              Value: 1
          Titles:
            – TitleFull: Journal of Educational Research and Innovation
              Type: main
ResultId 1