PROCEEDINGS OF THE 18TH ANNUAL CONFERENCE ON RESEARCH IN UNDERGRADUATE MATHEMATICS EDUCATION
2015
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Mathematicians’ views of mathematical practice
Page: 697
Learning a mathematical practice, such as problem solving, is different from learning mathematical content. Realizing that mathematical practices are a fundamental aspect of engaging in mathematical activity, we seek to better understand the nature of mathematical practices, as well as how they are perceived by those who teach them. In this paper, we explore these issues with university mathematicians. In particular, we focus on explaining how mathematicians think about, learn, and teach mathematical practices. We consider mathematicians’ interpretations of various mathematical practices and consider how those interpretations may influence their goals for instruction perspectives on student thinking. Specifically we seek to know how mathematicians understand, think about, and practically address the teaching and learning of mathematical practice.