Year: 2011
Type: dissertation
Abstract: An analysis of content knowledge and pedagogical content knowledge \nconcerning algebra in mathematics textbooks in Swedish upper secondary education\n\nHow to solve quadratic equations is a common teaching topic in upper secondary school algebra. \nThis study has the interest in analyzing algebra content knowledge related to quadratic equations \nand factorization in mathematics textbooks at upper secondary level. Mathematics textbooks as \neducational resources and artefacts are widely used in classroom teaching and learning. What is \npresented in a textbook is often taught by teachers in the classroom. On the other hand, what is \nmissing from the textbook may not be presented by the teacher. Textbooks contain both subject \nknowledge and pedagogical knowledge.\n\nThis thesis is about analyzing the algebra content related to factorization and quadratic equations \nfrom a teaching perspective, as presented in mathematics textbooks at Swedish upper secondary \nschools. The analysis focuses on algebra content related to factorization and quadratic equations as \nsubject matter content knowledge (CK) and the embedded pedagogical content knowledge (PCK) \nin the textbooks. The main aim is to explore what pedagogical content knowledge regarding \nquadratic equations–is embedded in mathematics textbooks. The secondary aim is to analyze the \nalgebra content from the perspective of mathematics as a discipline in relation to algebra history. \nIt is about what one can find in the textbook rather than how the textbook is used in the classroom.\n\nThe empirical material used in this study includes twelve mathematics textbooks in the mathematics \nB course at Swedish upper secondary schools. The analysis contains four rounds of analyses. The \nresults of the first three rounds of analyses have set up a basis for the deep analysis of one selected \ntextbook.\n\nThe results show that there is an accumulative relationship among all the algebra content with a final \ngoal of presenting how to solve quadratic equations by quadratic formula; the presentation of the \nalgebra content related to quadratic equations in the selected textbook is organized by four \ngeometrical models traced back to algebra history. These four geometrical models are applied for \nillustrating algebra rules and construct five embedded hypothetical teaching trajectories and an \noverall teaching trajectory. The historically related pedagogy and application of mathematics in both \nreal world and pure mathematics contexts are the embedded pedagogical content knowledge related \nto quadratic equations.
Author: Wang Wei Sönnerhed
Language: English
Subfield: Education
Field: Social Sciences
Domain: Social Sciences
SDG: Quality education
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W753309483