UNCOVERING MATH TEACHERS’ UNDERSTANDING OF ALGEBRA CONCEPTS

Abstract

In this study, we looked at thirty to thirty-three teacher responses to algebra questions. Through analyzing their submitted solutions using the lens of previously researched ways of categorizing teacher knowledge of algebra, we saw how point-wise and global approaches can both be beneficial, depending on the nature of the question. Sometimes, taking a point-wise approach can help teachers tackle problems with counter-intuitive solutions, and other times, global thinking helped guide teachers in the right direction by focusing them on the bigger picture. We also looked at the data through the framework of KAT, finding that teachers may possibly have gaps in their school algebra (SA), and advanced math (AM) knowledge in terms of applying and connecting formulas, which we saw in problems involving the distance, rate, and time formulas. Overall, our research has highlighted how middle and high school math teachers think about algebra questions, building off of previous research in this area and giving us insight into how we could better train future math educators.