Math Knowledge for Teaching
(Some notes)
Ken W. Smith
Articles of Note
Mathematics
for Teaching by Al Cuoco,
in the February 2001 issue of the AMS Notices, discusses the mathematical
knowledge for teaching mathematics and problems in current secondary education
practices and attitudes. Cuoco
asks, ÒWhat needs to be changed?Ó and lists some habits developed in the
typical college classroom
What
(bad) habits do undergraduates pick up in college math classes?
There
is a lack of understanding what math is about?
(Facts,
not development process, are seen as the important parts of mathematics.)
The
Òflatness syndromeÓ -- all of it is equal – students do not get a good
picture of the relevant importance of various concepts.
There
is Òworksheet centered drillÓ
Watch
and do -- mimic the teacher.
Linear,
"know all you need before you start." And so get ALL your knowledge in college. (Then, apparently, stop learning.)
Notes
and question on CuocoÕs paper:
There
is a vertical disconnect -- no connection between highschool math and college
math.
What
is his solution? (Make connections.)
What
is a "shadow seminar"?
Mathematics, Mathematicians and Mathematics Education
by Hyman Bass, in the Bulletin of the
AMS, 2005, discusses the history of mathematicians involved in Mathematics
Education (Klein and Freudenthal are examples) and then discusses MKT,
Mathematics Knowledge necessary for Teaching.
The
article describes four different types of mathematical knowledge, one of which
is not generally known by mathematicians.
The
article also mentions the ÒSean numbers.Ó
Teaching
Math Requires Special Set of Skills by Debra Viadero (in
Edweek.org)
Math
professors receive million dollar grant from NSF, the story in Spectrum about our grant.
Largest CMU NSF
award, the press release from CMU
about our PBTE grant.
Problem-based
learning (from Wikipedia)
Other resources:
Association of Mathematics Teacher Educators
National Council of Teachers of Mathematics
NCTM Standards,
introducing NCTMÕs Principles and Standards for School Mathematics.
Return to KenÕs homepage
Last modified January 14, 2007