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Mathematical Content Understanding for Teaching: A Study of Undergraduate STEM Majors
Graduate School of Education, University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA
Cal Teach Program, University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA
- 1 Graduate School of Education, University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA
- 2 Cal Teach Program, University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA
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Abstract
This paper investigates the nature of mathematical understanding that is needed to teach three foundational early algebra topics. These three topics include dividing fractions, linear equation in two variables and its graph, and quadratic function and its graph. Data from a sample of undergraduate STEM majors in a major research university affirm the importance of developing what Shulman (1999) calls “far more effective mathematics courses in U.S. undergraduate program” in order to equip future mathematics teachers with profound mathematical content understanding for teaching fundamental mathematics (Ma, 1999).
KeywordsMathematical UnderstandingMathematics Teacher EducationPre-Service Content Training
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