The impact of the Lifelong Training Program in Mathematics on the didactic knowledge of elementary school teachers

Authors

  • Maria Palmira Alves Universidade do Minho
  • José António Fernandes Universidade do Minho
  • Nuno Miguel Silva Escola EBI S. Martinho do Campo

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.4013/edu.2014.181.2917

Abstract

In Portugal, the Lifelong Training Program in Mathematics for elementary school teachers (from the 1st to the 4th grade) is primarily designed to promote the teachers’ didactic knowledge in order to improve the pupils’ performances in mathematics. In the present study, 197 generalist elementary school teachers who had participated in the program during the 2007/2008 school year were inquired about their perceptions concerning various dimensions of the teaching and learning of mathematics and about their participation in the program. Concerning results, we highlight, comparing the period before and after training, some changes that point to the current recommendations for the teaching of mathematics that seem to require a longer training period in order to improve the teachers’ didactic knowledge.

Keywords: Lifelong Training Program in Mathematics, elementary school teachers, teaching and learning dimensions.

Author Biographies

Maria Palmira Alves, Universidade do Minho

Professora Auxiliar no Departamento de Estudos Curriculares e Tecnologia Educativa do Instituto de Educação da Universidade do Minho.

Doutorada em Educação, na área de especialização em Desenvolvimento Curricular.

Investigadora no Centro de Investigação em Educação.

Autora de publicações científicas nacionais e internacionais no domínio do currículo, da avaliação e da formação de professores.

José António Fernandes, Universidade do Minho

Professor Associado no Departamento de Estudos Integrados de Literacia, Didática e Supervisão, do Instituto de Educação da Universidade do Minho.

Doutorado em Educação, na área de especialização em Metodologia do Ensino da Matemática.

Investigador no Centro de Investigação em Educação.

Autor de publicações científicas nacionais e internacionais no domínio da didática e da formação de professores.

Nuno Miguel Silva, Escola EBI S. Martinho do Campo

Doutorado em Ciências da Educação, na área de especialização em Educação Matemática.

 

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Published

2014-01-13

Issue

Vol. 18 No. 1 (2014): January/April

Section

Articles

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