Elementary School Mathematical Teachers' Subject Matter Knowledge: A Comparative Analysis of Expert Teachers and Non-expert Teachers

This study used questionnaires to assess the subject matter knowledge of thirty two elementary mathematical teachers including expert teachers and non-expert ones with a ratio of 50/50.Results indicate significant differences between the two groups of teachers in the understanding of mathematical knowledge and the essence of maths.Compared with the non-expert teachers,the expert ones have profound understanding of mathematical knowledge,they get a deep understanding of concepts and a systematic organization of knowledge.The expert group tends to hold a problem-solving view,whereas the no-expert group holds a knowledge-mastering view about maths and students' learning mathematics.