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2013 Conference Proceedings - University of Nevada, Las Vegas

2013 Conference Proceedings - University of Nevada, Las Vegas

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triangulation necessitated examination <strong>of</strong> the themes from participants’ responses, my reflectivejournal, and the peer discussions.FindingsAnalysis <strong>of</strong> the data revealed that participants’ perspectives about the nature <strong>of</strong> mathematicsas well as their selves in relation to mathematics changed significantly for many students. Itappears that their altered beliefs about mathematics and the culture <strong>of</strong> the classroom dynamicallyinteracted to affect their mathematical autonomy. Students enjoyed learning mathematics andhad greater confidence in their mathematical capabilities. One participant statedI think, in general, most <strong>of</strong> the experiences in this course have enhanced my confidenceand enthusiasm for mathematics. Being encouraged to work with out-<strong>of</strong>-the-boxalgorithms has expanded my perceived horizons and opened up a new field <strong>of</strong> interest forme.Participants’ perceptions about the way in which mathematics is “done” as well as theirfeelings about mathematics changed over the course <strong>of</strong> a semester in this non-traditionalmathematics content course. Many felt more comfortable with the mathematics that they wouldeventually teach and found a new appreciation for mathematics in general; a few expressed thatthey even grew to like mathematics. Participants talked about this change in confidence levelsextensively; some excerpts from their writings are as follows:After this class, math is still not my most liked subject, however it isn’t my mostdisliked either. I do feel a lot more confident in teaching math to students now that Ihave had this class.I think that this course has made me more confident in learning math because it mademe realize there was not just one way to find the “answers” to math problems… I amnot sure that I will ever really enjoy math but I am not so afraid to take it on now.This class has changed my thoughts about math in many ways. Before this class Ihated math and I struggled in all my other previous math courses. This class hasshowed me that math can be enjoyable and that I can do well in this course and notjust squeeze by.Furthermore, after taking a course structured in a non-traditional format that focused onconceptual understanding, meaning-making, answering “why,” and working in groups,participants’ reported feeling more confidence in their mathematical ability as well as theirpedagogical skills to teach mathematics. They spoke about their mathematical andepistemological empowerment related to understanding the mathematics. Participants <strong>of</strong>ten<strong>Proceedings</strong> <strong>of</strong> the 40 th Annual Meeting <strong>of</strong> the Research Council on Mathematics Learning <strong>2013</strong> 64

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