TY - JOUR
T1 - Defining mathematical problems and problem solving
T2 - Prospective primary teachers' beliefs in Cyprus and England
AU - Xenofontos, Constantinos
AU - Andrews, Paul
PY - 2014
Y1 - 2014
N2 - This paper presents a comparative analysis of prospective elementary teachers' mathematical problem solving-related beliefs in Cyprus and England. Twenty-four participants, twelve from a well-regarded university in each country, were interviewed qualitatively at the exit point of their undergraduate teacher education studies. Analyses revealed both similarities and differences in the ways in which prospective teachers in each country construe both mathematical problems and mathematical problem solving, indicating not only that their beliefs are culturally situated but also that the concepts of "mathematical problem" and "problem solving" have different meanings cross-culturally. Such findings challenge the received view in mathematics education research of definitional convergence with respect to both mathematical problems and problem solving. Some implications for policy making are discussed.
AB - This paper presents a comparative analysis of prospective elementary teachers' mathematical problem solving-related beliefs in Cyprus and England. Twenty-four participants, twelve from a well-regarded university in each country, were interviewed qualitatively at the exit point of their undergraduate teacher education studies. Analyses revealed both similarities and differences in the ways in which prospective teachers in each country construe both mathematical problems and mathematical problem solving, indicating not only that their beliefs are culturally situated but also that the concepts of "mathematical problem" and "problem solving" have different meanings cross-culturally. Such findings challenge the received view in mathematics education research of definitional convergence with respect to both mathematical problems and problem solving. Some implications for policy making are discussed.
KW - Cyprus
KW - England
KW - Mathematical problems
KW - Problem solving
KW - Prospective teachers' beliefs
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=84901640677&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1007/s13394-013-0098-z
DO - 10.1007/s13394-013-0098-z
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:84901640677
SN - 1033-2170
VL - 26
SP - 279
EP - 299
JO - Mathematics Education Research Journal
JF - Mathematics Education Research Journal
IS - 2
ER -