Influence of a Mathematics Teachers' Circle on Elementary Teachers' Use of Problem Solving

Math teachers' circles are a form of professional development that is recommended by the Conference Board of the Mathematical Sciences in their publication Mathematical Education of Teachers II (2012). However, little research has been published on how effective math teachers' circles are...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:School science and mathematics 2017-12, Vol.117 (7-8), p.317
Main Authors: Garner, Mary L, Watson, Virginia, Rogers, Beth, Head, Catherine
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Communities of Practice
Economically Disadvantaged
Elementary School Teachers
Faculty Development
Journal Writing
Knowledge Base for Teaching
Mathematics Teachers
Minority Group Students
Pretests Posttests
Problem Solving
Program Effectiveness
Teacher Competencies
Teaching Methods
Teaching Skills
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Summary:Math teachers' circles are a form of professional development that is recommended by the Conference Board of the Mathematical Sciences in their publication Mathematical Education of Teachers II (2012). However, little research has been published on how effective math teachers' circles are in advancing the mathematical knowledge of teachers and influencing their actual teaching practice. This study reports how 25 elementary teachers from schools with minority and economically disadvantaged populations responded to a math circle experience. A pretest and posttest showed a significant increase in problem-solving ability. Through analysis of journals, all but 4 of the 25 teachers indicated that participation in the math circle increased their understanding of problem solving and advanced their use of problem solving in the classroom.
ISSN:0036-6803
DOI:10.1111/ssm.12250/full