Teaching Mathematics and Science through a Social Justice Lens
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| Title: | Teaching Mathematics and Science through a Social Justice Lens |
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| Language: | English |
| Authors: | Pourdavood, Roland G., Yan, Meng |
| Source: | Journal of Urban Mathematics Education. Dec 2022 15(2):41-63. |
| Availability: | Journal of Urban Mathematics Education. Texas A&M University, College of Education and Human Development, Aggie STEM, 1411 Hensel Street Suite 201, College Station, TX 77840. Tel: 979-862-4665; e-mail: jume@tamu.edu; Web site: https://journals.tdl.org/jume/ |
| Peer Reviewed: | Y |
| Page Count: | 23 |
| Publication Date: | 2022 |
| Document Type: | Journal Articles Reports - Research |
| Education Level: | Junior High Schools Middle Schools Secondary Education Higher Education Postsecondary Education High Schools |
| Descriptors: | Mathematics Instruction, Science Instruction, Social Justice, Middle School Teachers, Preservice Teachers, High School Teachers, Consciousness Raising, Equal Education, Student Diversity, Cultural Differences |
| ISSN: | 2151-2612 |
| Abstract: | Teaching mathematics and science embedded in social justice is not a familiar concept for many teachers, especially pre-service teachers. This qualitative, descriptive, and interpretative study examines the experiences and reflections of 26 middle grade and secondary pre-service mathematics and science teachers on teaching and learning mathematics and science through the social justice lens as they took a semester-long course concurrently with their student-teaching. The primary research question was, "How may a semester-long course focusing on teaching and learning mathematics and science with social justice awareness provide pre-service teachers with opportunities to reflect on and change their teaching practices?" Data included researchers' field notes and participating pre-service teachers' verbal discussions, written reflections, and classroom presentations. The findings suggest that teaching mathematics and science in the context of social justice enhanced the participating pre-services teachers' awareness of educational opportunity and equity. The findings also indicate teaching mathematics and science from the social justice perspective requires a paradigm shift in teaching and learning. Furthermore, the study exposes the limitations of the current school structure and culture for meaningful learning, the limitations of existing curricula and state-mandated texts, and the lack of adequate resources in teaching mathematics and science in social justice contexts. |
| Abstractor: | As Provided |
| Entry Date: | 2023 |
| Accession Number: | EJ1371286 |
| Database: | ERIC |
| Abstract: | Teaching mathematics and science embedded in social justice is not a familiar concept for many teachers, especially pre-service teachers. This qualitative, descriptive, and interpretative study examines the experiences and reflections of 26 middle grade and secondary pre-service mathematics and science teachers on teaching and learning mathematics and science through the social justice lens as they took a semester-long course concurrently with their student-teaching. The primary research question was, "How may a semester-long course focusing on teaching and learning mathematics and science with social justice awareness provide pre-service teachers with opportunities to reflect on and change their teaching practices?" Data included researchers' field notes and participating pre-service teachers' verbal discussions, written reflections, and classroom presentations. The findings suggest that teaching mathematics and science in the context of social justice enhanced the participating pre-services teachers' awareness of educational opportunity and equity. The findings also indicate teaching mathematics and science from the social justice perspective requires a paradigm shift in teaching and learning. Furthermore, the study exposes the limitations of the current school structure and culture for meaningful learning, the limitations of existing curricula and state-mandated texts, and the lack of adequate resources in teaching mathematics and science in social justice contexts. |
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| ISSN: | 2151-2612 |
