Prospective Elementary Teachers' Thinking about Teaching Mathematics.

This paper analyzes the views about teaching mathematics held by eight preservice elementary teachers enrolled in a mathematics course that emphasized small group discussion and an exploratory approach to mathematics. Analysis of the students' diaries, interviews, and group discussions reveal a body of traditional views about teaching mathematics in clear contrast with the message of the course. Although students showed progress as reflective learners of mathematics, the effect of the experience as teachers is unclear. The paper addresses the need to work towards teacher education models that combine these experiences in mathematics with a successful transition into the school world. (Author) *********************************************************************** Reproductions supplied by EDRS are the best that can be made from the original document. ***********A*********************************************************** Prospective Elementary Teachers' Thinking About Teaching Mathematics Marta Civil Department of Mathematics University of Arizona Tucson, AZ 85721 Paper presented at the Annual Meeting of the American Educational Research Association, San Francisco, April 1992 "PERMISSION TO REPRODUCE THIS MATERIAL HAS BEEN GRANTED BY