Preservice Secondary Mathematics Teachers' Conceptualizations of Equity: Access and Power as Seen Through Vignette Responses

Attention to equity in the mathematics education field has been growing in recent years. We have evidence that many novice secondary mathematics teachers do not feel prepared to teach in regards to diverse populations. We need to know more about how secondary preservice mathematics teachers (PSMTs) conceptualize equitable environments. This study investigates 30 secondary PSMTs' proposed responses to two hypothetical vignettes from mathematics department conversations regarding calculator usage and mathematical discourse, respectively, utilizing two of Gutiérrez's four dimensions of equity: Access and Power. Results suggest these PSMTs considered equity, equality, and creating a classroom that invites participation among other factors when thinking of an equitable approach with respect to calculator usage. When considering mathematical discourse, PSMTs cited the need to “model” proper use of mathematical language as well as to allow students to themselves verbalize it. Implications mathematics education and teacher education more broadly are to integrate equity and equality discussions in methods courses and to include strategies to facilitate productive discourse.     

Pre-constructed dynamic geometry materials in the classroom – how do they facilitate the learning of ‘Similar Triangles’?

The use of dynamic geometry software (DGS) is becoming increasingly familiar among teachers, but letting students conduct inquiries using computers is still not a welcome idea. In addition to logistics and discipline concerns, many teachers believe that mathematics at the lower secondary level can be learned efficiently through practice alone. Thus, the application of DGS remains limited to demonstration and explanation. This article discusses how a set of pre-constructed dynamic geometry (DG) materials was designed to teach the ‘similar triangles’ concept. The reactions and behaviour of students with relatively low levels of mathematic achievement are also analysed. Finally, the potential value of pre-constructed DG materials, with lab sheets and teacher intervention, in inquiry activities for junior-level students is discussed.     

Developing teachers' models for assessing students' competence in mathematical modelling through lesson study

Applications and modelling have gained a prominent role in mathematics education reform documents and curricula. Thus, there is a growing need for studies focusing on the effective use of mathematical modelling in classrooms. Assessment is an integral part of using modelling activities in classrooms, since it allows teachers to identify and manage problems that arise in various stages of the modelling process. However, teachers’ difficulties in assessing student modelling work are a challenge to be considered when implementing modelling in the classroom. Thus, the purpose of this study was to investigate how teachers’ knowledge on generating assessment criteria for assessing student competence in mathematical modelling evolved through a professional development programme, which is based on a lesson study approach and modelling perspective. The data was collected with four teachers from two public high schools over a five-month period. The professional development programme included a cyclical process, with each cycle consisting of an introductory meeting, the implementation of a model-eliciting activity with students, and a follow-up meeting. The results showed that the professional development programme contributed to teachers’ knowledge for generating assessment criteria on the products, and the observable actions that affect the modelling cycle.     

A case study of pedagogy of mathematics support tutors without a background in mathematics education

This study investigates the pedagogical skills and knowledge of three tertiary-level mathematics support tutors in a large group classroom setting. This is achieved through the use of video analysis and a theoretical framework comprising Rowland's Knowledge Quartet and general pedagogical knowledge. The study reports on the findings in relation to these tutors’ provision of mathematics support to first and second year undergraduate engineering students and second year undergraduate science students. It was found that tutors are lacking in various pedagogical skills which are needed for high-quality learning amongst service mathematics students (e.g. engineering/science/technology students), a demographic which have low levels of mathematics upon entering university. Tutors teach their support classes in a very fast didactic way with minimal opportunities for students to ask questions or to attempt problems. It was also found that this teaching method is even more so exaggerated in mandatory departmental mathematics tutorials that students take as part of their mathematics studies at tertiary level. The implications of the findings on mathematics tutor training at tertiary level are also discussed.     

基于专业认证的“高分子材料与工程专业实验”课程教学改革

从工程教育专业认证要求出发,分析"高分子材料与工程专业实验"实验教学的现状及存在问题,基于专业认证视角,提出该实验课程改革的思路和方法。为更好地适应专业认证的要求,提高学生解决复杂工程问题的能力,明确了该实验课程支撑的毕业要求和指标点,在现有实验教学内容基础上,新增了与经济、环保相关度更高的实验项目,提高设计性和开放创新性实验比例,并增加了实验过程的动态评价,在提高学生解决复杂工程问题能力的同时,实现了实验教学的可持续发展。     

新冠疫情与科学教育*——国外与新冠疫情相关的科学教育研究述评

新冠疫情是一个全球性的历史事件,科学教育也深受新冠疫情的影响。对新冠疫情爆发以来收录在Scopus数据库中的49篇有关科学教育的文章进行分类综述,主要围绕:新冠疫情下远程科学教育的机遇与挑战;新冠疫情:一个重要的社会性科学议题;HPS在新冠疫情时代对科学教育的贡献;由新冠疫情反思科学教育标准与科学素养;新冠疫情下的非正规科学教育与可持续教育等5个方面展开述评,总结新冠疫情中科学教育的经验以反思科学教育、前瞻后疫情时代的科学教育。     

在仪器分析课程教学中融入课程思政案例的探讨*

如何将课程思政教学内容与课程知识体系高度契合,使课程思政有温度、有共鸣,是需要进行教学内容设计和教学模式创新。围绕仪器分析培养目标和各部分的教学特点,充分挖掘课程知识点中的思政元素,构建相应的思政教学案例,利用线上线下、课内课外的多渠道模式,将课程思政润物细无声地融入仪器分析教学全过程,实现仪器分析课程的专业知识传授、核心价值引领和能力培养之间的有机统一,终达到使学生脑中有专业知识、胸中有爱国情怀、有责任担当的成效。     

“分子三维模型制作”劳动技能课线上线下混合式教学设计与实践*

改进了大学化学类专业劳动技能课“分子三维模型制作”,并提出线上线下混合教学模式和多元化考核方式相结合的实践教学思路与方法。在课程中引入生产实例、学科前沿和时事热点进行创新创业和思政教育,积极引导学生主动参与实践教学,充分调动学生的劳动兴趣,以适应新时期培养创新性劳动者的需要。     

科学本质认识的发展及对近代中学化学教育的影响*

形成良好的科学本质认识是现代化学教育的重要目标之一,但自科学传入近代中国以来,受传统思想等因素的影响逐渐形成了一种本土化的科学本质认识,这使得在化学教育中提倡的科学本质不能一味追求与西方的同一。我国近代的本土科学本质的认识分为器物本质认识、方法本质认识和文化本质认识等3个阶段,它进一步使化学教育的教学目标由掌握技术转变为注重思想,教学内容从学习具体知识转变为超越知识本体,教学方法从单一讲授发展为多样教学,学科地位由传统教育的附庸品转变为必要的学科教育。近代本土科学本质认识对化学教育的发展有引导作用,此外其物质价值与救国思想突出的特点,也进一步指出平衡物质精神价值、优化本土科学本质认识的重要性。西方化学教育中的科学理念对我国化学教育发展具有重要的借鉴作用,但要注意化学教育在我国开展过程中,其自身发展路径、时代背景等差异,这不但是为进一步让化学教育的发展契合社会需求,同时也更加体现出以学习者为中心的思想。     

《义务教育化学课程标准(2022年版)》解读——物质的组成与结构

“物质的组成与结构”是《义务教育化学课程标准(2022年版)》的五大学习主题之一,具有独特的育人价值与功能。分析了“物质的组成与结构”学习主题的素养发展功能,系统阐释了其内容要求、学业要求的特点和变化,并结合教学提示及当前初中化学有关物质组成与结构内容的教学现状提出了教学策略,为深入理解和实施新课标提供了指引。