Preservice Mathematics Teachers' Perceptions of School-Related Content Knowledge Tasks

Dian Permatasari, Tatang Herman

Abstract


School-related Content Knowledge (SRCK) encompasses profession-specific content knowledge essential for teaching secondary mathematics and bridging the gap between university and school mathematics. Preparing preservice teachers with this knowledge is vital for effective teaching. This study explores the perceptions and performance of preservice mathematics teachers regarding SRCK tasks. Using a qualitative approach and case study design, the research involved twenty third-semester preservice mathematics teachers selected through convenience sampling at a state university in Yogyakarta. Instruments included tests, questionnaires, and interviews to assess SRCK. Data analysis involved content analysis, inductive category formation, thematic categorization, and data triangulation. The findings reveal that preservice mathematics teachers consider SRCK tasks relevant and beneficial for their professional development. However, differences emerge in their evaluation of task relevance and realism, highlighting the need to incorporate more university-level mathematical concepts into SRCK tasks to bridge the gap between theory and practice. Despite recognizing the importance of university mathematics, there is a tendency to rely predominantly on school-level mathematics knowledge. This suggests that teacher preparation programs must address the challenge of mastering more complex university-level concepts to ensure that future educators are adequately prepared to teach advanced mathematical ideas. Varying levels of success in solving SRCK tasks underscore the necessity for a comprehensive integration of university-level mathematical concepts. Such integration aligns with efforts to enhance the relevance of university mathematics education for aspiring teachers. It is recommended that university mathematics be blended with school mathematics and future professional roles to improve conceptual understanding and teaching readiness.


Keywords


case study; preservice mathematics teacher; qualitative research; school-related content knowledge; teacher education;

Full Text:

PDF
rticle

References


Agustyaningrum, N., Abadi, A. M., Sari, R. N., & Mahmudi, A. (2018). An analysis of students’ errors in solving abstract algebra tasks. Journal of Physics: Conference Series, 1097(1), 012118. https://doi.org/10.1088/1742-6596/1097/1/012118

Agustyaningrum, N., Hanggara, Y., Husna, A., Maman Abadi, A., & Mahmudii, A. (2019). An analysis of students’ mathematical reasoning ability in abstract algebra courses. International Journal of Scientific & Technology Research, 8(1), 160–163. http://www.ijstr.org/research-paper-publishing.php?month=jan2019

Allen, I. E., & Seaman, C. A. (2007). Likert scales and data analyses. Quality Progress, 40(7), 64–65.

Allmendinger, H. (2016). Die Didaktik in Felix Kleins „Elementarmathematik vom höheren Standpunkte aus“. Journal Für Mathematik-Didaktik, 37(1), 209–237. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13138-016-0089-1

Allmendinger, H., Aslaksen, H., & Buchholtz, N. (2023). Strengthening mathematical orientation: How university mathematics courses can gain relevance for pre-service teachers. ZDM - Mathematics Education. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11858-023-01492-5

Ball, D. L., Thames, M. H., & Phelps, G. (2008). Content knowledge for teaching: What makes it special? Journal of Teacher Education, 59(5), 389–407. https://doi.org/10.1177/0022487108324554

Blömeke, S., Busse, A., Kaiser, G., König, J., & Suhl, U. (2016). The relation between content-specific and general teacher knowledge and skills. Teaching and Teacher Education, 56, 35–46. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tate.2016.02.003

Bromme, R., & Steinbring, H. (1994). Interactive development of subject matter in the mathematics classroom. Educational Studies in Mathematics, 27(3), 217–248. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01273730

Cofer, T. (2015). Mathematical explanatory strategies employed by preservice secondary teachers. International Journal of Research in Undergraduate Mathematics Education, 1(1), 63–90. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40753-015-0007-9

Darling-Hammond, L. (2020). Accountability in Teacher Education. Action in Teacher Education, 42(1), 60–71. https://doi.org/10.1080/01626620.2019.1704464

Darling-Hammond, L., Hyler, M. E., Gardner, M. (2017). Effective Teacher Professional Development. Palo Alto, CA: Learning Policy Institute. https://doi.org/10.54300/122.311.

Dreher, A., V. Z. Eichenauer, and K. Gehring (2018) “Geopolitics, aid, and growth: The impact of UN Security Council membership on the effectiveness of aid,” World Bank Economic Review 32, 268–86

Even, R. (2022). Academic mathematics in secondary school mathematics teacher education. In Encyclopedia of Teacher Education. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-16-8679-5_243

Hermanns, J. (2021). How do pre-service chemistry teachers rate the importance of content in organic chemistry during their chemistry studies at university? Chemistry Teacher International, 3(4), 359–365. https://doi.org/10.1515/cti-2021-0004

Hermanns, J., & Ermler, N. (2021). Why school-related content knowledge for pre-service chemistry teachers should include basic concepts in organic chemistry. Chemistry Teacher International, 3(3), 303–311. https://doi.org/10.1515/cti-2020-0033

Hughes, J., Thomas, R., & Scharber, C. (2006). Assessing technology integration: The RAT–replacement, amplification, and transformation framework. In Society for Information Technology & Teacher Education International Conference (pp. 1616–1620).

Johnson, D. W., & Johnson, R. T. (2018). Cooperative learning: The foundation for active learning. In Active Learning—Beyond the Future (pp. 59–71).

Kuckartz, U. (2012). Qualitative inhaltsanalyse: Methoden, praxis, computerunterstützung. Beltz Juventa.

Kosnik, C. (2008). Developing a Pedagogy of Teacher Education: Understanding Teaching and Learning About Teaching (John Loughran, 2006). Curriculum Inquiry, 38(4), 437–438. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-873X.2008.00420.x

Loewenberg Ball, D., & Forzani, F. M. (2009). The work of teaching and the challenge for teacher education. Journal of Teacher Education, 60(5), 497–511.

Malambo, P. (2020). Pre-service mathematics teachers’ nature of understanding of the tangent function. JRAMathEdu (Journal of Research and Advances in Mathematics Education), 5(2), 105–118. https://doi.org/10.23917/jramathedu.v5i2.10638

Malambo, P. (2021). Implicit misconceptions in preservice mathematics teachers’ reasoning about trigonometric concepts. Contemporary Mathematics and Science Education, 2(2), ep21011. https://doi.org/10.30935/conmaths/11054

Massolt, J., & Borowski, A. (2018). Increasing the perceived relevance of university physics problems by focusing on school-related content knowledge. HeiEDUCATION Journal. Transdisziplinäre Studien Zur Lehrerbildung, 1–2, 99–125.

Massolt, J., & Borowski, A. (2020). Perceived relevance of university physics problems by pre-service physics teachers: Personal constructs. International Journal of Science Education, 42(2), 167–189.

McDuffie, K. A., & Scruggs, T. E. (2008). The Contributions of Qualitative Research to Discussions of Evidence-Based Practice in Special Education. Intervention in School and Clinic, 44(2), 91-97. https://doi.org/10.1177/1053451208321564

Moralı, H. S., & Filiz, A. (2023). Incorrect theorems and proofs: An analysis of pre-service mathematics teachers’ proof evaluation skills. Journal of Pedagogical Research, 7(3), 248–262. https://doi.org/10.33902/JPR.202318840

Murray, E., Baldinger, E. E., Wasserman, N. H., Broderick, S., & White, D. (2017). Connecting advanced and secondary mathematics. Issues in the Undergraduate Mathematics Preparation of School Teachers, 1(August), 1–10.

Nieveen, N., & Folmer, E. (2013). Formative evaluation in educational design research. Design Research, 153(1), 152–169.

Pramasdyahsari, A. S., Setyawati, R. D., & Albab, I. U. (2019). Connecting university mathematics and school mathematics to address Klein’s double discontinuity: A case of ring theory. Beta: Jurnal Tadris Matematika, 12(2), 122–132. https://doi.org/10.20414/betajtm.v12i2.336

Smith, M. (Peg), & Stein, M. K. (2018). 5 practices for orchestrating productive mathematics discussion. National Council of Teachers of Mathematics. https://us.corwin.com/books/5-practices-262956

Tall, D. (1992). The transition to advanced mathematical thinking: Functions, limits, infinity, and proof. In Handbook of Research on Mathematics Teaching and Learning (pp. 495–511).

Tatto, M. (2014). Teacher Education Development Study-Mathematics (TEDS-M). In: Lerman, S. (eds) Encyclopedia of Mathematics Education. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-007-4978-8_151

Wasserman, N. H. (2016). Abstract algebra for algebra teaching: Influencing school mathematics instruction. Canadian Journal of Science, Mathematics and Technology Education, 16(1), 28–47. https://doi.org/10.1080/14926156.2015.1093200

Wasserman, N. H. (2018). Exploring advanced mathematics courses and content for secondary mathematics teachers. Advances in Mathematics Education, 1–15. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-99214-3_1

Wasserman, N. H. (2024). Adding diversity to mathematical connections to counter Klein’s second discontinuity.

Wasserman, N. H., & Weber, K. (2017). Pedagogical applications from real analysis for secondary mathematics teachers. For the Learning of Mathematics, 37(3), 14–18. https://eric.ed.gov/?id=EJ1162133

Weber, B.-J., Breuer, J., & Lindmeier, A. (2023). How do school-related mathematical problems become relevant for preservice teachers in mathematics courses at university? A qualitative interview study. Research in Mathematics Education, 1–26. https://doi.org/10.1080/14794802.2023.2243261

Weber, B.-J., & Lindmeier, A. (2022). Typisierung von Aufgaben zur Verbindung zwischen schulischer und akademischer Mathematik. In Professionsorientierte Fachwissenschaft: Kohärenzstiftende Lerngelegenheiten für das Lehramtsstudium Mathematik (pp. 95–121). Springer.

Woehlecke, S., Massolt, J., Goral, J., Hassan-Yavuz, S., Seider, J., Borowski, A., Fenn, M., Kortenkamp, U., & Glowinski, I. (2017). Das erweiterte Fachwissen für den schulischen Kontext als fachübergreifendes Konstrukt und die Anwendung im universitären Lehramtsstudium. BzL-Beiträge Zur Lehrerinnen-Und Lehrerbildung, 35(3), 413–426.

Wu, H. (2011). The mis-education of mathematics teachers. Notices of the AMS, 58(3), 372–384.

Zazkis, R., & Leikin, R. (2010). Advanced mathematical knowledge in teaching practice: Perceptions of secondary mathematics teachers. Mathematical Thinking and Learning, 12(4), 263–281. https://doi.org/10.1080/10986061003786349




DOI: https://doi.org/10.20961/ijpte.v8i1.89372

Refbacks

  • There are currently no refbacks.


Copyright (c) 2024 Dian Permatasari, Tatang Herman

Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.


  

International Journal of Pedagogy and Teacher Education

Print ISSN: 2597-7792
Online ISSN: 2549-8525
Website: https://jurnal.uns.ac.id/ijpte/index
Email: ijpte@mail.uns.ac.id
Published by: Faculty of Teacher Training and Education, Universitas Sebelas Maret
Ir. Sutami Street, No. 36A, Surakarta, Jawa Tengah Indonesia