We report the design of an analog technology, what we refer to as a SunRule, that uses sunlight to model multiplication. Physical models that explore multiplication are fixtures in elementary mathematics classrooms. Our interest in physical models of multiplication was driven by an overarching design problem: How could a physical tool realize a…

This mini-ethnographic study explored virtual elementary student teaching during the COVID-19 pandemic, focusing on mathematics instruction. It was framed using Ecological Systems Theory and Critical Pedagogy. Data were collected from interviews, focus groups, observations, and site documents. Thematic analysis methods were used to analyze the…

Background/purpose: The purpose of this qualitative study was to identify strengths and deficits of alternative teacher certification programs, with particular emphasis on approaches to strengthening mathematical content knowledge and pedagogy. Materials/methods: Six participants included both teacher candidates enrolled in internship in the…

This paper details an exploratory study of ten elementary preservice teachers (PSTs) involvement in the problem-solving process in a mathematics methods course. The dynamic, messy and nonlinear nature of this process was demonstrated by discussing PSTs' solution process of an open box construction problem. Effective approaches to solve this…

This paper presents research that exists at the crossroad of scholarly practice and scholarly inquiry. We outline the process in the design, enactment, and empirical examination of an elementary methods course activity, Exploring and Supporting Student Thinking (ESST), which engaged 18 elementary prospective teachers (PTs) in two sessions of…

This study explores how past and present experiences with mathematics interact as teacher candidates engage in a series of critical inquiry and reflection opportunities embedded in a mathematics methods course. The study involved 28 teacher candidates enrolled in an undergraduate education program within a large university. Data were collected…

According to the Association of Mathematics Teacher Educators (AMTE, 2017), teachers should first try to see problems through their students' eyes, anticipate, understand, and analyze students' varied ways of thinking, and respond appropriately. In this study, we engaged preservice teachers (PTs) in planning to implement problem-solving tasks;…

Schools are increasing the time students spend learning to write, in part because of changing state standards. Studies of classroom practice suggest that most teachers devote little time to the teaching of writing, and many teachers report they do not feel prepared to teach writing. Here, we examine the titles and descriptions of required literacy…

This study examined the intersections of preservice elementary teachers' (PSET) professional noticing (PN) of children's mathematical thinking, two mathematical knowledge for teaching (MKT) domains: mathematics content knowledge (MCK) and mathematics pedagogical content knowledge (MPCK), and two affective domains: attitudes and dispositions toward…

Teacher education research is in still in the process of developing a robust set of tools that can measure the key features of coursework and fieldwork. This article focuses on the design of measures of "opportunities to learn" (OTLs) in content method courses that can be used across large populations of candidates at diverse preparation…

Although many music teacher candidates begin university studies planning to teach secondary ensembles, most will ultimately be certified to teach younger children and may be called to do so. The purpose of this study was to examine how music teacher education programs prepare preservice music educators to teach music to children from birth through…

If the declines in interest and performance within school science are to be reversed, it is imperative that competent and confident teachers deliver quality science experiences. This paper reports on the long-term implementation of two complementary, student-centered tertiary science methods courses that integrated instruction in content with…

Black students and their linguistic resources are undervalued, disdained, disrespected, and disregarded in language arts classrooms. Not only is Black Language often ignored in English language arts instruction, but language more generally remains largely hidden within elementary ELA. Elementary ELA educators are tasked with teaching a vast array…

A service-learning model was used in a science methods course for elementary teachers as the context for integrating key pedagogical strategies necessary to attain current national and state standards. This innovation provided a real-world problem-solving experience and introduced learners to service-learning through personally relevant…

This instrumental case study examines how elementary teacher candidates (TCs) came to understand citizenship and civic engagement after participating in a news group project during the 2020 presidential election season. TCs formed a binary understanding of civic engagement as "passive" vs. "active," viewing themselves as active…