Abstract
The previous two chapters drew insights from studies featuring very different methodologies, but focused on very similar types of connections between abstract algebra and preservice teacher education. A central idea of each chapter was the way that preservice teachers’ learning of abstract algebra could both reinforce and build on their knowledge of secondary mathematics. We focus our commentary primarily on this idea. First, we will characterize the possible benefits of this bidirectional relationship in terms of supporting the development of preservice teachers’ mathematical knowledge for teaching. Then, we will critically consider whether such benefits are worthy of being intentionally pursued by teacher education programs and (if so) how they might be best realized.
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Larsen, S., Glover, E., Bergman, A.M., Caughman, J. (2018). What Kind of Opportunities Do Abstract Algebra Courses Provide for Strengthening Future Teachers’ Mathematical Knowledge for Teaching?. In: Wasserman, N. (eds) Connecting Abstract Algebra to Secondary Mathematics, for Secondary Mathematics Teachers. Research in Mathematics Education. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-99214-3_4
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-99214-3_4
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