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A Mathematics Teacher’s Practice in a Technological Environment: A Case Study Analysis Using Two Complementary Theories

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Integrating technology in school mathematics has become more and more common. The teacher is a key person in integrating technology into everyday practice. To understand teacher practice in a technological environment, this study proposes using two theoretical perspectives: the theory of technological pedagogical content knowledge to analyze teachers’ knowledge, and instrumental orchestration to analyze teachers’ actions. Applying this dual perspective to one teacher’s practice can shed light on the complexities faced by a teacher who integrates technology in her practice.

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Notes

  1. For example, the numbers 5, 10, 15, 20, … could be entered into an Excel column in several ways: by entering each number; by entering the number 5 in the first cell and the symbolic expression A1+5 in the next cell and then dragging the expression down a column; by using two columns, entering the numbers 1, 2, 3, 4 … in one column and dragging down the symbolic expression 5*A1 in the next column. No matter which method is used, the same numbers will appear on screen.

  2. In the example used in the previous footnote, one expression is a recursive expression (A1+5) and the other is an explicit expression (5*A1).

  3. The reader may wonder if indeed this can be seen as a variant of discuss-the-screen orchestration. It involves a different configuration, as in the original one central screen was the focus of attention, while here multiple screens are involved. This point will be further discussed in the concluding remarks.

  4. The discussion in the concluding remarks (mentioned in the previous footnote) refers to this variant as well.

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  1. Tel-Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel

    Michal Tabach

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  1. Michal Tabach
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Tabach, M. A Mathematics Teacher’s Practice in a Technological Environment: A Case Study Analysis Using Two Complementary Theories. Tech Know Learn 16, 247–265 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10758-011-9186-x

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