Mathematical Representations and Pedagogical Content Knowledge: An Investigation of Prospective Teachers' Development

A study was carried out involving K-8 teacher candidates enrolled in an elementary mathematics methods course to investigate and document their thinking as they plan for mathematics instruction. The teacher candidates submitted lesson plans at three intervals during a semester-long methods course, which were coded based on the planned use(s) of mathematical representations. Analysis of the data revealed trends in the choices of representations. Recommendations are presented highlighting the potential benefits of incorporating the knowledge base on mathematical representations into a mathematics methods course and a discussion ensues on the development of these teacher candidates' pedagogical content knowledge through their choice(s) of mathematical representations in their lesson planning. (Author)