RUME 25
2023
Omaha, Nebraska
Goals, Orientations, and Social Support Offered by a Mathematics Graduate Teaching Assistant
Page: 82
Research suggests that support offered by an instructor can significantly impact student experiences and that there are different types of support that instructors can offer (e.g., emotional support, informational support, etc.). This case study examines the goals and beliefs of a first-year Mathematics Graduate Teaching Assistant (MGTA) in an attempt to explain their in- the-moment classroom decisions about offering different kinds of support to their students. This study found that the MGTA’s beliefs about the nature of mathematics and how mathematics problems are solved were critical in understanding their tendency to offer a particular type of support. Understanding the ways that MGTAs support their students can initiate a valuable discussion surrounding novice mathematics instructors and their professional development.