Teachers learning mathematics: Professional development research
This one-year TLRI study aimed to investigate the development of teachers’ own mathematical knowledge for teaching. Seven secondary teachers from the Auckland region each developed some aspect of their mathematical knowledge.
Principal Investigators
Bill Barton and Judy Paterson, The University of Auckland.
Research team
Barbara Kensington-Miller, Hannah Bartholomew, Anne Blundell, Peter Radonich, Jason Florence, Anna Dumnov, Margaret de Boer, Linda Crisford, Yoko Raike, Anne Watson, and Deborah Ball
Funded by the Teaching & Learning Research Initiative (TLRI)
Date - 2009
Link - http://tlri.org.nz/teachers-learning-mathematics-2
Project Aims and Objectives
The research questions were;
- What developments will a teacher be able to make in their own mathematical knowledge while teaching?
- What do these teachers think about its worthwhileness and practicality as ongoing professional development?
- What do these teachers have to say about the importance of the mathematical knowledge of a
teacher?
A sub-aim of the project was to further induct the teacher-researchers into research practice. The project sought to understand how teachers can engage in the learning of mathematics to enhance their teaching as part of their professional lives. It gave a group of teachers the opportunity to undertake such learning in a supported fashion, and to reflect on and investigate for themselves its effect.
Outputs include a summary document and a final report