DOCUMENT RESUME ED 431 624 SE 062 655 AUTHOR Pothier, Yvonne M., Ed. TITLE Canadian Mathematics Education Study Group = Groupe Canadien d'etude en didactique des mathematiques. Proceedings of the Annual Meeting (22nd, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, May 29-June 2, 1998). INSTITUTION Canadian Mathematics Education Study Group. PUB DATE 1998-00-00 NOTE 162p. PUB TYPE Collected Works - Proceedings (021) EDRS PRICE MF01/PC07 Plus Postage. DESCRIPTORS Algebra; Classroom Communication; Computer Uses in Education; Educational Assessment; Educational Technology; Elementary Secondary Education; Foreign Countries; *Mathematics Achievement; *Mathematics Instruction; Mathematics Teachers; Number ConCepts; Professional Development; Word Problems (Mathematics) IDENTIFIERS Canada ABSTRACT This proceedings includes the following papers:(1) "Structure of Attention in Teaching Mathematics" (John Mason);(2) "Communicating Mathematics or Mathematics Storytelling" (Kathy Heinrich);(3) "Assessing Mathematical Thinkino" (Florence Glanfteld and Pat Rogers);(4) "From Theory to Observational Data (and Back Again)" (Carolyn Kieran and Jo Towers); (5) "Bringing Ethnomathematics :into the Classroom in a Meaningful Way" (Kgomotso Garegae-Garekwe) ; (6) "Mathematical Software for the Undergraduate Curriculum" (Frederic Gourdeau, Michael B. Monagan, and Joel Hillel);(7) "Professional Development for Preservice Mathematics Teachers" (Nadine Bednarz and Linda Gattuso); (8) "How Does the Achievement of Canadian Students Compare to That of Students in Other Countries?" (David Robitaille); (9) "The Commonsense of Teaching" (David Wheeler); (10) "A Look at the Conference Logo" (Klaus Hoechsmann);(11) "Preservice Primary Teachers' Beliefs about Mathematics and Levels of Cognitive Functioning" (Sandra Frid); (12) "Where Do I Want Students' Attention? And What Can I Do To Affect Their Attention?" (Dave Hewitt);(13) "Impact Math: A Mathematics Reform Project for Ontario Grade 7 and 8 Teachers" (Doug McDougall); (14)"A Man Left Albuquerque Heading East: Word Problems as Foundational Narrative in Mathematics Education" (Susan Gerofsky);(15) "Learning Algebra Personally" (Ralph Mason);(16) "Exemplary Mathematics Teachers: Subject Conceptions and Instructional Practices" (Geoffrey Roulet);(17) "Recognizing and Supporting Children's Conceptions of Number" (Heather Kelleher); and (18) "Learning to Teach Prospective Teachers: A Teacher Educator's View" (Cynthia Nicol).(ASK) ******************************************************************************** Reproductions supplied by EDRS are the best that can be made from the original document. ******************************************************************************** CANADIAN MATHEMATICS EDUCATION STUDY GROUP GROUPE CANADIEN D'ETUDE EN DIDACTIQUE DES MATHEMATIQUES PERMISSION TO REPRODUCE AND DISSEMINATE THIS MATERIAL HAS BEEN GRANTED BY fiC3-\ANd- PROCEEDINGS TO THE EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES INFORMATION CENTER (ERIC) 1998 ANNUAL MEETING 1 I0r4. ',itts. ..0% 4,.. r ri ,,,, * ,0 1,X, rf.-fgamr t 4 ' T'TT tiny elq.0 MINN inius lifOlen University of British Columbia May 29-June 2, 1998 U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION Office of Educational Research and Improvement EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES INFORMATION CENTER (ERIC) This document has been reproduced as ed from the person or organization originating it. O Minor changes have been made to improve reproduction quality. Points of view or opinions stated in this BEST COPY AVAILABLE document do not necessarily represent EDITED BY official OERI position or policy. Yvonne M. Pothier Mount Saint Vincent University 2 CANADIAN MATHEMATICS EDUCATION STUDY GROUP GROUPE CANADIEN D'ETUDE EN DIDACTIQUE DES MATHEMATIQUES PROCEEDINGS 1998 ANNUAL MEETING University of British Columbia May 29-June 2, 1998 EDITED BY Yvonne M. Pothier Mount Saint Vincent University 3 Cover Printing by McCurdy Printing Limited Halifax, Nova Scotia Mount Saint Vincent University Press Halifax, Nova Scotia B3M 2J6 1998 4 22nd ANNUAL MEETING CANADIAN MATHEMATICS EDUCATION STUDY GROUP/ GROUPE CANADIEN D'ETUDE EN DIDACTIQUE DES MATREMATIQUES University of British Columbia, 1998 TABLE OF CONTENTS Editor's Forward Acknowledgements vii Schedule x Photographs xi INTRODUCTION xiii PLENARY LECTURES 1. La Structure de l'Attention dans l'Enseignement des Mathématiques Structure of Attention in Teaching Mathematics John Mason, Open University, Milton Keynes, UK 2. Communicating Mathematics or Mathematics Storytelling 21 Kathy Heinrich, Simon Fraser University WORKING GROUPS A.Assessing Mathematical Thinking 29 Florence Glanfield, University of Alberta Pat Rogers, York University From Theory to Observational Data (and Back Again) 43 Carolyn Kieran, Université du Québec a Montréal Jo Towers, University of British Columbia C Bringing Ethnomathematics into the Classroom in a Meaningful Way 51 Kgomotso Garegae-Garekwe, University of Manitoba D Mathematical Software for the Undergraduate Curriculum 59 Frédéric Gourdeau, Université Laval Michael B. Monagan, Simon Fraser University Joel Hillel, Concordia University TOPIC SESSIONS 1 Professional Development for Preservice Mathematics Teachers 73 Nadine Bednarz, Université du Québec a Montréal Linda Gattuso, Université du Québec a Montréal 2 How Does the Achievement of Canadian Students Compare to That of Students in Other Countries? 85 David Robitaille, University of British Columbia 3 The Commonsense of Teaching 93 David Wheeler, Concordia University (ret'd) AD HOC SESSIONS 1. A Look at the Conference Logo 103 Klaus Hoechsmann, University of British Columbia 2. Preservice Primary Teachers' Beliefs About Mathematics and Levels of Cognitive Functioning 105 Sandra Frid, University of New England, Australia 3. Where Do I Want Students' Attention? And What Can I Do To Affect Their Atention? 107 Dave Hewitt, University of Birmingham, UK 4. Impact Math: A Mathematics Reform Project For Ontario Grade 7 and 8 Teachers 109 Doug McDougall, University of Toronto 5. A Man Left Albuquerque Heading East: Word Problems as Foundational Narrative in Mathematics Education 111 Susan Gerofsky, Simon Fraser University NEW PHD GRADUATES: RESEARCH REPORTS 1. Learning Algebra Personally 115 Ralph Mason, University of Manitoba 2. Exemplary Mathematics Teachers: Subject Conceptions and Instructional Practices 123 Geoffrey Roulet, Queen's University 3. Recognizing and Supporting Children's Conceptions of Number 133 Heather Kelleher, University of British Columbia 4. Learning to Teach Prospective Teachers: A Teacher Educator's View 139 Cynthia Nicol, University of British Columbia APPENDICES Appendix A Working Groups at Each Annual Meeting 153 Appendix B Plenary Lectures 157 Appendix C Previous Proceedings 159 Appendix D List of Participants 161 6 iv EDITOR'S FORWARD I wish to thank all those who contributed reports for inclusion in these Proceedings. The care taken in preparing a hard copy and disk file of the report, together with camera ready figures, made my work as editor a pleasant task. The value of these Proceedings is entirely the credit of the report authors. These Proceedings will serve to revive the memories of those who participated in the meeting and hopefully will help generate continued discussion on the varied issues raised during the meeting. With the completion of these Proceedings and retirement just months away, I bid a fond farewell to all members of CMESG. It has been a pleasure for me to come to know you and I wish each one joy and peace. Yvonne M. Pothier Mount Saint Vincent University August, 1998 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS The executive and members would like to thank the University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, for hosting the meeting and providing excellent facilities. Special thanks are extended to the local organizing committee, namely, Susan Pirie (chairperson), Atm Anderson, Heather Kelleher, Cynthia Nicol, David Robitaille and James Sheri 11 for their time and work prior to and during the meeting to make the experience pleasant and enjoyable for all participants. The assistance to the committee provided by Saroj Chand and Michelle MacDonald is also acknowledged. Gratitude is also extended to the guest lecturers,working group leaders, topic session leaders, ad hoc presenters, new PhD graduates and all participants. You are the ones who made the meeting an intellectually stimulating and worthwhile experience: the sunshine and beautiful campus added to the enjoyment. vii SCHEDULE Friday Saturday Sunday Monday Tuesday May 29 May 30 May 31 June 01 June 02 9:00 9:00 9:00 9:00 Working Working Working Plenary II Groups Groups Groups Kathy Heinrich 10:15 10:15 10:15 10:00 Refreshments Refreshments Refreshments Discussion Plenary II 12:15 12:15 12:15 10:45 Lunch Lunch Lunch Refreshments 11:15 Working group reports and closing session 1:30 1:30 1:30 Small group Topic Sessions Topic discussion - A and B Sessions 'Plenary I - C and D 2:30 2:00 New PhDs ---- Questions from (Ad hoc 2:30 small groups to sessions) Ad hoc speaker sessions ----------- -------- -- 3:30 5:30 3:00 Refreshments 3:30 Opening Ad hoc Sessions ---- Refreshments Plenary 4:00 ---- General New PhDs 4:00 Introductions Annual ----- 5:00 General Free Meeting 6:30 6:30 5:30 5:30 Plenary I No host Coach to Free Ralph Mason optional group station for ------- dinner train ride and 6:30 7:30 ------------ dinner Dinner Reception 1998 Meeting Memories The 1998-99 Executive Elaine Simmt, Recording Secretary; Frédéric Gourdeau, Membership Secretary, Malgorzata Dubiel, President; Mary Crowley, Conference Co-coordinator; Susan Pirie, Vice-President;