• Research in Mathematical Education
• /
• v.22 no.2
• /
• pp.135-152
• /
• 2019

This conceptual paper proposes a conceptualization regarding teacher candidates' experiences as learners during instructional activities implemented by teacher educators in practice-based teacher education programs. We argue that the current learning cycle framework for teacher candidates to engage in core teaching practices does not fully address teacher candidates' own learning experiences as learners. To provide a rationale for our proposal, we examine the current conceptualization of learning to enact core practices and suggest the need for integrating teacher candidates' experiences into the current conceptualization. We also draw on research on figured worlds as an effort to conceptualize teacher candidates' experiences coming from multiple figured world. We present some examples from our own mathematics methods courses to illustrate how this newly proposed framework can be used in practice and share remaining questions for future research.

• Journal of Elementary Mathematics Education in Korea
• /
• v.21 no.3
• /
• pp.415-441
• /
• 2017

The purpose of this study is to develop elementary school math classes for the gifted and talented with a focus on social issues to investigate the possibility of character education through specialized subject classes. As suggested in the goals of the math education for social justice, which provide the fundamental theoretical basis, through mathematics activities with a theme of social issues, mathematically gifted and talented young students can critically perceive social issues, express a sense of mathematical and critical agency throughout the course and develop a willingness and mindset to contribute to social progress. In particular, the concept of Figured Worlds and agency is applied to this study to explain the concept of elementary math classes for the gifted and talented with a focus on social issues. The concept is also used as the theoretical framework for the design and analysis of the curriculum. Figured Worlds is defined as the actual world composed of social and cultural elements (Holland et al., 1998) and can be described as the framework used by the individual or the social structure to perceive and interpret their surroundings. Agency refers to the power of practice that allows one to perceive the potential for change within the Figured Worlds that he is a part of and to change the existing Figured Worlds. This study sees as its purpose the fostering of young talent that has the agency to critically perceive the social structure or Figured Worlds through math classes with a theme of social issues, and thus become a social capital that can contribute to social progress.