Examining the Types of Mathematical Connections Made by Elementary Preservice Teachers: A Video Analysis

• In Event: Teachers' and Learners' Use of Video to Increase Teaching and Learning

Abstract

Teachers' knowledge in relating currently teaching concepts to other concepts that students have learned and will learn shape the quality of their teaching. Drawing on the video presentations of 43 elementary preservice teachers, this study examined the characteristics of their competence in connecting concepts that they are teaching to other relevant ideas. It revealed that participants preferred to make connections to previously learned concepts (e.g., base 10 number system and counting concepts) but paid little attention to other relevant concepts students will learn in future such as the inverse relationship between addition and subtraction, relationship of addition and subtraction to important properties of numbers and operations. The implications for mathematics teacher preparation are discussed and future research directions are proposed.

Authors

• Yuanhua Wang, Texas Tech University

• Jian Wang, Texas Tech University

• Raymond Flores, Texas Tech University

• Guoxiang Wang, Texas Tech University