Using Video Episodes to Reflect on the Role of the Teacher in Mathematical Discussions

This chapter presents a practice-based teacher education activity addressing the power of exploratory tasks to foster students’ learning and the role of the teacher conducting classroom discussions regarding such tasks. First, this activity involves the teachers in analysing a given algebra task, its potential for the mathematics classroom, and the possible difficulties for the students. Then, the teachers observe a classroom episode with students presenting and discussing solutions for the task under the guidance of the teacher and strive to interpret the events. And, finally, the participants reflect on the contrast of what they previously thought and what they saw happening in the classroom. The chapter discusses the potential of such practice-based activities for teacher education.