Orienting to Student Sense-Making

Timothy Boerst, Meghan Shaughnessy, Nicole Garcia, Brit Claiborne

OAI: oai:igi-global.com:361617 • DOI: 10.4018/979-8-3693-1164-6.ch011

This chapter reports on work from a decade-long project to develop and study the use of teaching simulations focused on the teaching practices of eliciting and interpreting student thinking to support preservice teachers' (PSTs') learning. The chapter describes how teaching simulations focused on these practices allow teacher educators to support PSTs in orienting to student sense-making that is at the heart of equitable mathematics instruction. The teaching simulation approach is described. Examples illustrate how the approach is designed and facilitated in ways that make visible PSTs' engagement with three teaching performance areas (eliciting the student's process, using mathematical knowledge and skill, and conveying respect for the student as a mathematical thinker and learner) that are crucial for more equitable mathematics instruction. Connections between each of the performance areas and more equitable eliciting and interpreting of student thinking are described alongside the ways in which teacher educators can provide feedback that supports PSTs' development.

Teacher Education Education Teacher Education Social Sciences and Humanities Physical Sciences and Engineering