Mathematical connections that future primary school teachers make

The aim of this study is to investigate the mathematical connections between manifestations of area that teacher trainees make (or not) when solving tasks of measuring and comparing the area of flat surfaces. The student teachers, gathered in pairs, answered a questionnaire that asked them to: 1) measure the area of flat surfaces using two or three different procedures, and 2) justify each resolution based on the procedures used. The results obtained show that the vast majority of student teachers favour the use of numerical procedures and the use of formulas, ignoring geometric and intuitive procedures that would facilitate the task of quantifying the area. In this sense, it is difficult for student teachers to establish connections between the manifestations of area.

Autorentext

Primary School Teacher specialising in Mathematics. Central University of Chile. Master's Degree in Educational Research specialising in Didactics of Mathematics. Autonomous University of Barcelona. PhD student in Education, specialising in Didactics of Mathematics. Autonomous University of Barcelona.