The development of teachers' knowledge in a lesson study

Abstract

PurposeThis paper seeks to understand how teachers' mathematical knowledge for teaching (MKT) is developed during a lesson study regarded as a professional development process that places particular emphasis on teachers' knowledge of tasks, representations and students' learning.Design/methodology/approachThis study is based on the networking of two theories, namely the Interconnected Model of Teacher Professional Growth (IMTPG) and MKT. The methodology is qualitative and interpretative. The participants are three primary school teachers and team members involved in a lesson study. Data collection was conducted by means of participant observation, with audio recordings of the sessions and a final individual interview.FindingsThe participant teachers developed their knowledge of tasks and representations, which are essential elements of content and teaching knowledge, as well as knowledge of the curriculum, content and students. Additionally, they developed specialized knowledge of mathematics, the meaning of fraction as a measure and its representation on the number line. This development arose from activities conducted in the Domain of Practice, in many cases prompted by the External Domain, and was particularly important when these activities gave rise to unforeseen consequences. Connections among the various domains were established through enactment and reflection processes.Originality/valueThe study shows how the networking of two different theories, in this case the IMTPG and MKT, may enhance further understanding of educational phenomena. This networking involved the coordination of these two theories, which were superimposed in the Group Domain.