Research on the Teaching and Learning of Mathematics
EMAT 6710
3 hours
Research on the Teaching and Learning of Mathematics
Course Description
Addresses how teachers can use research in mathematics education to support instruction. Using the case of a core strand of mathematics, the course examines research on how students learn mathematical ideas, common student challenges and difficulties, what is effective in supporting students’ learning, and productive pedagogical strategies for fostering mathematical thinking.
Athena Title
Research on Teach Learn Math
Equivalent Courses
Not open to students with credit in EMAT 6710E
Non-Traditional Format
The course is a hybrid course. It will incorporate in-class
meetings, concurrent online meetings, and online discussions.
Semester Course Offered
Not offered on a regular basis.
Grading System
A - F (Traditional)
Student learning Outcomes
A student who successfully completes this course will identify the unifying ideas of a mathematical strand (e.g., algebra) as enacted in the 6-12 curriculum.
A student who successfully completes this course will describe and characterize how mathematical ideas (e.g., from algebra) are represented, communicated, and connected.
A student who successfully completes this course will identify what research indicates about the strategies, representations, and communication methods teachers can use to support their students’ understanding of mathematical (e.g., algebraic) ideas.
A student who successfully completes this course will identify key shifts students make in their understanding of mathematical (e.g., algebraic) concepts.
A student who successfully completes this course will identify and address the conceptions and difficulties students demonstrate with mathematical (e.g., algebraic) ideas.
Topical Outline
General research on mathematical (e.g., algebra and algebraic) reasoning
The use of literal symbols and symbolic representations in particular mathematical topics
Research on students’ understanding of important aspects of ideas in the mathematical strand
Research on the use of representations and manipulatives in supporting mathematical reasoning
Students’ abilities and research on patterns and generalization as appropriate to their understanding of mathematical ideas
Students’ understanding of proportional reasoning and research on effective ways to foster proportional reasoning
Instruction of the big ideas undergirding the mathematical strand (e.g., for algebra, function families, including linear, quadratic, exponential, and higher-order polynomial and other functions)
Best practices for enacting graphing and modeling and other current priority topics in the 6-12 algebra classroom
Connections to precalculus, calculus, and other college level mathematical ideas
