Skip to main content
Log in

Images of mathematics held by university teachers of mathematical sciences

  • Published:
Educational Studies in Mathematics Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

For some time now mathematics educators have been studying elementary and secondary school teachers' views of mathematics. A knowledge of university teachers' views of this discipline can provide a useful background to these research endeavours. As part of a national survey of men and women teachers of mathematical sciences in Canadian universities, I included a question concerning the definition of mathematics. In this article I present the themes emerging from a content analysis of the responses obtained and discuss them in relation to research on school teachers' perception of mathematics. I also report the results concerning the university teachers answers to a second question relevant to the image of mathematics, namely identifying up to ten books which, in their opinion, have had the most influence on the development of mathematics.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Brown, L.: 1992, ‘The influence of teachers on children's image of mathematics’,For the Learning of Mathematics 12(2), 29–33.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bush, W. S., Lamb, C. E., and Alsina, I.: 1990, ‘Gaining certification to teach secondary mathematics: A study of three teachers from other disciplines’,Focus on Learning Problems in Mathematics 12(1), 41–60.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cooney, T., Geffrey, F., Stephens, M., and Nickson, M.: 1985, ‘The professional life of teachers’,For the Learning of Mathematics 5(2), 24–30.

    Google Scholar 

  • Davis, P. J. and Hersh, R.: 1981,The Mathematical Experience, Birkhäuser, Boston.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dieudonné, J.: 1982, ‘Mathématiques vides et mathématiques significatives’, in R. Apéry, M. Caveing, J.-P. Descléset al. Penser les Mathématiques, Editions du Seuil, Paris, pp. 15–38.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dionne, J. J.: 1988,Vers un Renouvellement de la Formation et du Perfectionnement des Maîtres du Primaire: Le Probléme de la Didactique des Mathématiques, Les Publications de la Faculté des Sciences de l'Education, Université de Montréal, Montréal.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ernest, P.: 1989, ‘The impact of beliefs on the teaching of mathematics’, in C. Keitel, P. Damerow, A. Bishop, and P. Gerdes (eds.),Mathematics, Education and Society, UNESCO Science and Technology Education Document Series, No. 35, Paris, pp. 99–101.

  • Ernest, P.: 1991,The Philosophy of Mathematics Education, The Palmer Press, London.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ernest, P.: 1992, ‘The nature of mathematics: Towards a social constructivist account’,Science and Education 1(1), 89–100.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lerman, S.: 1990, ‘Alternative perspectives of the nature of mathematics and their influence on the teaching of mathematics’,British Educational Research Journal 16(1), 53–61.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mura, R.: 1991, ‘Sans distinction de sexe? Les carriéres universitaires en sciences mathématiques’,The Canadian Journal of Higher Education 21(3), 59–95.

    Google Scholar 

  • Nimier, J.: 1986,Les maths, le français, les langues ... à quoi ça me sert?, CEDIC/Nathan, Paris.

    Google Scholar 

  • Perry, W. G., Jr.: 1970,Forms of Intellectual and Ethical Development in the College Years: A Scheme, Holt, Rinehart & Winston, New York.

    Google Scholar 

  • Thompson, A. G.: 1984, ‘The relationship of teachers' conception s of mathematics and mathematics teaching to instructional practice’,Educational Studies in Mathematics 15(2), 105–127.

    Google Scholar 

  • Underhill, R. G.: 1988, ‘Mathematics teachers' beliefs: Review and reflections’,Focus on Learning Problems in Mathematics 10(3), 43–59.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Mura, R. Images of mathematics held by university teachers of mathematical sciences. Educ Stud Math 25, 375–385 (1993). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01273907

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01273907

Keywords

Navigation