Primary pre-service teachers: reasoning and generalisation

Tim Rowland, Gwen Ineson, Julie Alderton, Gina Donaldson, Chronoula Voutsina, Kirsty Wilson

    Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

    Abstract

    Generalising tasks, in the context of mathematical reasoning, have featured in our work with primary pre-service teachers (PSTs). We used two particular problems - 'matchstick squares' and 'flower beds' - to explore the generalisation approaches taken by PSTs. In this paper, we analyse the ways in which one of them, Terry, uses recursive or functional approaches to generalisation, and how he attends to looking for a relationship and seeing sameness and difference between figures in a sequence. We consider what motivates shifts in attention, the significance of the PST's prior experience and of PST-collaboration in our teaching sessions. We conclude with a discussion about the significance of this activity in the PST’s preparation for teaching, with reference to Mason's (2010) notions of pro- spection and retro-spection.
    Original languageEnglish
    Title of host publicationResearch Proceedings of the 9th British Congress on Mathematics Education
    Subtitle of host publication3-6 April, University of Warwick, UK
    EditorsJennie Golding, Nicola Bretscher, Cosette Crisan, Eirini Geraniou, Jeremy Hodgen, Candia Morgan
    PublisherBritish Society for Research into Learning Mathematics
    Pages159-166
    Number of pages7
    Publication statusPublished - 3 Apr 2018
    EventProceedings of the 9th British Congress of Mathematics Education (BCME9) 2018 - University of Warwick, Warwick, United Kingdom
    Duration: 3 Apr 20186 Apr 2018

    Publication series

    NameBCME Conference Proceedings

    Conference

    ConferenceProceedings of the 9th British Congress of Mathematics Education (BCME9) 2018
    Abbreviated titleBCME9
    Country/TerritoryUnited Kingdom
    CityWarwick
    Period3/04/186/04/18

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