Pask and Ma Join Forces in an Elementary Mathematics Methods Course

Abstract

This chapter introduces conversation theory as a means of creating an active learning environment in an elementary mathematics methods course. It argues that such an environment, designed for undergraduate candidates in teacher education, will engage the learners in the task of developing deep conceptual understanding to support and give rationale to the procedural knowledge most of them already have. Furthermore, the authors hope that an understanding of conversation theory as applied to teaching mathematics will help instructors and instructional designers to facilitate preservice teachers’ engagement in reaching a deep conceptual understanding of the mathematics they are preparing to teach.