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Mathematics Education of Pre-Service 

Teachers: As Reflected in Methods Course 

Syllabus 

 
Leslie Anne Unsworth1, Immaculate K. Namukasa2, Kinful L. Aryee3, 

Donna Kotsopoulos4 

 

Western University, Canada 

 

Introduction 
The Merriam- Webster’s dictionary defines syllabus as a summary, a course of study, or 

an outline. Matejka and Kurke (1994) proposed that there are four key functions of a 

syllabus. The syllabus represents a legal agreement between the instructor and the student, 

the student and the university, and the instructor and the university; it is a communication 

device regarding the learning outcomes and goals of a program of study; it is a plan or a 

description of events to occur within the course; and it is a cognitive map outlining a way 

in which knowledge will be shaped by the content of the course.  

Burkhardt, Fraser, and Ridgway (1990) provide comprehensive definitions for 

various kinds of curricula where the term ideal curriculum may add to the understanding 

of the role of a syllabus. According to these authors, 

The ideal curriculum is what experts propound; because it is not firmly grounded 

in relevant experience. The ideal curriculum is fundamentally speculative but important 

in defining directions for change that should be pursued. The implemented curriculum is 

what teachers actually teach in the classroom; because teachers vary enormously in their 

capabilities, hence, there is a wide distribution of implemented curricula. The achieved 

curriculum is what the students actually learn; its distribution is even wider across many 

variables. The tested curriculum is determined by the spectrum of tests which vary public 

credibility, and through that, influence what happens in classrooms (Burkhardt et al., 

1990, p. 5).  

A syllabus can be viewed as a representation of what Burkhardt, Fraser, and 

Ridgway call “ideal curriculum” (Burkhardt et al., 1990, p. 5) and what Deng (2011) 

refers to as one of the major constituents of programmatic curriculum. The syllabus is 

therefore an important first glimpse for students to know what matters most to a discipline 

and to their learning by providing information on the topics to be studied, and the planned 

activities of the course.  

The ideal curriculum is particularly important in mathematics teacher education. 

It signals important theory to practice connections from research that are relevant for 

advancing learning and understanding for students. In this paper, we concern ourselves 



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with the course content in mathematics method courses, also referred to as mathematics 

pedagogy and school mathematics. As we describe shortly, we specifically adopt a 

framework of analysis that is derived from research literature in mathematics education. 

The objective of this study is to examine the extent to which key opportunities to learn 

mathematics method courses by pre-service mathematics teachers, as recommended by 

researchers, is evidenced in course syllabi. The question guiding the research was: How 

are recommendations derived from research for the mathematics education of pre-service 

teachers reflected in mathematics methods course syllabi? 

Some studies have attempted to identify ideal curriculum. For example, the recent 

Teacher Education and Development Study (TEDS-M) (Tatto, 2013) provided cross-

national data and shared terminology on what, and how, teachers learn in teacher 

education programs around the world (Tatto, Lerman, & Novotna, 2010; Blömeke, 2014). 

Others have investigated specific components of teacher education such as mathematics 

concepts and knowledge pre-services teachers need for teaching and the links between 

these components (Hill, Rowan & Ball, 2005). This understanding contributes to 

conversations on teacher knowledge and practices as well as to conversations on 

improving the future teachers’ effectiveness in the classroom.   

Certain studies have focused on areas such as course goal, course content, course 

structure, instructional approaches, and assessment (see for examples, Little, 2009; 

Monoranjan, 2015; Sinay, & Nahornick, 2016). TEDS-M also administered a content test 

questionnaire to teacher candidates (Tatto, 2013). This questionnaire was administered to 

determine the “effectiveness of a course/content arrangement” [in teacher education 

programs] (Hsieh, Law, Shy, Wang, Hsieh, & Tang, 2011, p. 180) by focusing on 

“organization of sequences, links of the course/content, and whether the courses/content 

met the needs of future teachers” (Hsieh et al., p. 180).  

TEDS-M not only studied the achieved curriculum by future teachers at the end 

of their teacher-education programs (TEP), it also collected data on “syllabi and sample 

assignments from teacher education mathematics curricular” (CMEC, 2010, p. 7). 

Canãdas, Gómez, and Rico (2013) maintain that analyzing the content dimensions of the 

syllabi of courses offered by teacher education institutions was a useful data source, 

which was more important than using student and instructor self-reported data on the 

learned curriculum. In certain studies, instructors investigated syllabi (e.g., Burton, 2003) 

for the course which they taught, or syllabi at their institutions (e.g., Corlu, 2013), or 

syllabi in their own countries (e.g., Canãdas et al., 2013). Also, Canãdas et al. (2013) 

studied the content for Spanish primary teachers’ training programs. We found few 

studies on syllabi of mathematics pedagogy or mathematics knowledge at the university 

level that offered a comparative analysis on proposed ideal curriculum. Our research 

hopes to contribute in this way.  

This study serves three goals: (a) introducing an instrument that may be useful in 

supporting the conceptual thinking of instructors when developing mathematics methods 

course content, (b) providing an examination of the extent to which key assertions within 

the field related to the mathematics education for future teachers materialize in course 

content, and (c) serving as a study of recommended elements for teacher education. It 

also has the potential to suggest ways to strengthen teacher preparation courses.  

 Our study examines syllabi for mathematics teacher-education courses in six 

countries. Cross-national studies are particularly important in an international climate of 

educational reform that emphasizes the need to promote learning for all students (Tatto 

et al., 2010). In short, we examine trends identified in course syllabi that signal what is 

deemed as important across the discipline. Our analysis provides these findings as well 

as commentary on areas that appear to be underrepresented. 

 

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Theoretical Framework  
Cross-national comparative studies on mathematics teacher education have only 

emerged in the past decade. It is, therefore, commonplace for a study on this topic to 

develop its own framework for analysis (Blömeke, 2014). In line with the framework 

development, Blömeke, Suhl, Kaiser, and  Döhrmann (2012) raised its importance and a 

need to review research internationally to discuss such issues. 

 Variations seem to exist in the literature among the components of pedagogy 

courses. For instance, Tatto et al. (2013) developed a framework on teacher education 

using data from 20 countries to analyze approaches to content in teacher education 

programs. Their framework which classified the overall curricular structure of teacher 

education, specifically inquiring whether mathematics content knowledge (CK), 

pedagogical content knowledge (PCK), or pedagogical knowledge (PK), were 

successfully addressed in the programs. On the question of content and pedagogy, 

Canãdas et al. (2013) following TEDS-M, considered four major categories of CK that 

should be taught to teachers in teacher preparation programs–school mathematics content 

knowledge, tertiary mathematics content knowledge, mathematics pedagogy and general 

pedagogy. These four categories of CK were considered the content categories of the 

seven broad opportunities to learn (OTL) for teachers (Tatto, 2013; Tatto & Senk, 2011). 

The seven OTLs identified altogether were: Mathematics content knowledge (MCK)–

school and tertiary, mathematics education, general education pedagogy, teaching for 

diversity, reflection on practice, school experiences and the field experience, as well as 

overall coherence of the teacher education program. Table 1 summarizes categories 

identified in TEDS-M, Blömeke (2014), NCTM (2012), and Wang and Tang (2013) 

alongside the categories identified in our study of course syllabi. 

 

Table 1: Classification of mathematics pedagogical (content) knowledge, MPCK 

 

Mathematics education (Blömeke 2014; Monroe, 

1984; NCTM 2012; Tatto, 2013; Tatto & Senk, 2011; 

Wang & Tang, 2013). 

This study & MTEd 

Teaching issues (e.g., planning, reflection, and 

foundations of mathematics) 

Pedagogical content 

knowledge 

Curriculum (e.g., school content and assessment) 
Content knowledge  

Assessment 

Learning issues (e.g., development of mathematics 

thinking, planning),  

Technology  

Mathematical tasks 

Contexts (e.g., equity and diversity) 

Policy and politics of 

mathematics education 

Equity and diversity 

Affective issues (e.g., motivational issues)  
Affective issues in 

pedagogy and content 

Professional competencies (e.g., teacher inquiry) 
Reflection 

Lesson as unit of study 

Field Experiences and Clinical Practices 
Theory and practice 

connections 

 

Blömeke et al. (2012) and Hsieh (2013) argue that examination of both teaching 

and assessment of future teachers would generate more insight into the relationship 

between teacher-education programs and teacher learning. Furthermore, it is clear from 

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studies using TEDS-M data that opportunities to learn (together with teacher 

backgrounds), were closely positively correlated to teacher performance on the tests of 

mathematics knowledge and mathematics pedagogical knowledge (Canãdas et al., 2013). 

Still other distinctions such as teacher learning, and teacher quality are possible 

(Blömeke, 2014). 

This current research is an extension of a study that proposed an evaluative tool, 

the Mathematics Teacher Educator (MTEd) Instrument (see Appendix A; Kotsopoulos, 

Morselli, & Purdy, 2011). The MTEd Instrument includes 11 categories of research 

related to mathematics pre-service teacher education and the rationale for these derives 

from the literature as described above and outlined in Table 1. These 11 are: reflection, 

mathematical tasks, lesson study, assessment, theory and practice connections, policy 

and politics of mathematics education, equity and diversity, affect, content knowledge, 

pedagogical content knowledge, and technology. We state up front, that other categories 

or classifications likely exist. Several of these categories also appeared independently in 

the TEDS-M framework. Given the contributions we hope to make in this paper, these 

categories are viewed by us as broad and yet encompassing enough to capture this field 

area of research. Our literature review consists of brief overviews of each of the 11 

categories. More robust reviews are contained within the citations in each category. 

 

Literature Review  
 

Reflection 

Artzt and Armour-Thomas (2002) contended that for teachers to develop their 

teaching practice, they must engage in reflection before, during, and after implementing 

a lesson. In the same way, prospective teachers must participate in those same forms of 

reflection throughout their teacher preparation program (Chung-Shu, 2006; García, 

Sánchez, & Escudero, 2007). Researchers argue that reflection helps teacher candidates 

to: Become active learners; think about mathematics; improve their professional skills; 

contribute to their understanding, especially of teachers’ professional knowledge; and 

serve as teaching for diversity. Although reflection on practice in the TEDS-M framework 

was conceptualized to be outside of the opportunity in mathematics pedagogy, we argue 

that reflection is an integral component [tool] of pre-service mathematical methods 

courses. 

 

Mathematical Tasks 

NCTM (2012) breaks content into content knowledge and mathematical practices. 

It includes a distinct category of professional knowledge and skills about teachers 

continuing to learn. Pre-service teachers need to engage in mathematical tasks that allow 

them to develop a deeper understanding of mathematical content and student learning 

processes (Ching-Shu, 2006; Watson & Sullivan, 2008; Zaslavsky, 2007). Watson and 

Sullivan distinguish between classroom tasks for students, that is, “questions, situations 

and instructions teachers might use when teaching students” (p. 109) and tasks for 

teachers, that is, “the mathematical prompt” (p. 109) that teachers employ to increase 

their knowledge levels. Mathematical tasks for teachers serve as a basis for providing 

meaningful help to pre-service teachers to develop a blend of mathematical and 

pedagogical knowledge (Chapman, 2007).  

Lesson Study 

Teachers increasingly engage in inquiry or research to obtain reliable and updated 

information for their lessons. Teacher engagement in inquiry involves avenues such as 

collaborative inquiry, communities of inquiry, design research, lesson study and learning 

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study (Lerman, 2014). In this study, we focus on lesson study, which is a process that is 

aimed at improving teaching practices among pre-service teachers by allowing them to 

collaboratively plan lessons, [to] observe one or more teachers while teaching the jointly 

planned lessons, and [to] collectively reflect upon the lessons (Dumm & Mojeed , 2015; 
Post & Varoz, 2008; Stigler & Hiebert, 1999).  

Assessment 

Generally accepted in mathematics education is the need for pre-service teachers 

to engage in assessment practices through the act of analyzing students’ level of 

mathematization. Additionally, it is important for teachers to engage in a variety of 

assessment strategies (Cunningham & Bennett, 2009; Ketterlin-Geller & Yovanoff, 2009) 

since authentic assessment practices can encourage and support further student learning 

and teachers’ own understanding of students’ mathematical thinking. 

Theory and Practice 

Through theory-to-practice activities pre-service teachers make connections 

between research and practice when learning to teach (McDonnough & Matkins, 2010; 

Tsafos, 2010). They are given opportunities to engage in research that allows them to 

make practical connections between educational theory and practice. 

Policy and Politics 

Policy documents and educational reforms (e.g., the New Math reform of the Post-

Sputnik era) pervade mathematics education. Curriculum and teaching standards and 

guidelines for teacher preparation programs (NCATE, 2008; NCTM, 2000), the 

institutional curriculum (Deng, 2011) that according to Doyle (1992) guides 

programmatic curriculum for teacher education. Apple (1992) and Johnston (2007) have 

verified the importance of pre-service teachers exploring and engaging with policy 

documents as a means of becoming familiar with regional and educational standards. 

Further, mathematics by itself according to Gutiérrez (2013), “operates with a kind of 

formatting power on our lives” and critical mathematics education researchers underscore 

the importance of engaging preservice teachers in exploring the politics of teaching 

mathematics.  

 

Equity and Diversity 

Numerous factors have been identified as contributing to the marginalization of 

certain populations of students, such as: pedagogical factors (Esmonde, 2009), 

Eurocentric mathematics (D'Ambrosio, 1985;  Skovsmose, 1990), and teacher 

preparation (Sleeter, 2001). This research points to some serious deficiencies in the 

learning environments of several students, specifically when it comes to how teachers are 

prepared during their pre-service teacher education (Bartolo, Smyth, Swennen, & Klink, 

2008). As a result, prospective teachers need to explore concepts of equity and diversity, 

so that they learn strategies for meeting the needs of diverse learners. The TEDS-M 

framework adequately addresses this concern by making ways of teaching diverse 

students an integral part of mathematics method courses for pre-service teachers.  

 

Affect 

Goldin (2002) stresses that the affective system is not merely an auxiliary to 

cognition; it is central to what the cognitive represents. Traditionally, four key 

components of affect are studied: emotions, beliefs, conceptions, and attitudes. Beliefs 

about teaching and learning mathematics deeply influence teachers’ instructional practice 

(Philipp, 2007; Thompson, 1992). Affect influences teaching practice as much as the 

social context and the teachers’ level of thought and reflection (Ernest, 1989) to the extent 

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that, sometimes, it is difficult to distinguish beliefs from knowledge because “teachers 

treat their beliefs as knowledge” (Thompson, 1992, p. 127). Therefore, it is important for 

pre-service teachers to become aware of and begin to challenge and potentially change 

any unhelpful beliefs during their teacher preparation programs. 

Content Knowledge 

Over the last decade, numerous scholars have attempted to articulate the sorts of 

content knowledge required by future mathematics teachers, where the outgrowth of this 

research has become known as mathematics for teaching (MfT) (Adler & Davis, 2006; 

Ball, Hill, & Bass, 2005; Ball, Thames, & Phelps, 2008). Stylianides and Stylianides 

(2009) define MfT as the “mathematical content that is important for teachers to know 

and be able to use in order to manage successfully the mathematical issues that come up 

in their practices” (p. 161). MKfT allows pre-service teachers to know,  implement 

mathematical content, and also solve mathematical problems (Ball & Bass 2000; 

Stylianides & Stylianides, 2009).  The reason for acquiring the content knowledge is that 

most elementary teachers are noted to “have had little or no mathematics [education] 

since high school, and have found their high school mathematics difficult” (Jonker, 2008, 

p. 328). Therefore, to improve the effectiveness of teaching and students work, 

mathematics knowledge for teaching (Hurrell, 2013) would be an important aspect of pre-

service teachers’ education. 

  

Pedagogical Content Knowledge 

Much of TEDS-M study research focused on the knowledge of content learned in 

mathematics pedagogy courses. Shulman (1986) defined two different components of 

teachers’ knowledge: content knowledge, also known as MfT as stated earlier, and 

pedagogical content knowledge (PCK). MfT and PCK are complementary pieces of the 

knowledge puzzle necessary for teaching mathematics. It appears that prospective pre-

service teachers need opportunities to examine, develop, and analyze various pedagogical 

strategies to gain knowledge about the components of MfT and PCK including 

instructionally sound representations and how to approach students’ learning difficulties 

(Shulman,1986).  

 

Technology  

According to Niess (2005), research regarding technology integration in 

mathematics teacher education has focused primarily on ways of  using technology to 

enhance teaching and learning. Mistretta (2005) noted that this integration has brought a 

lot of enhancement into the teaching and learning environments. Freiman (2014) breaks 

down learning technologies into: Microworlds, Virtual Learning Communities, 

Applications and Task Designs, Mobile Learning, and Games. Educational reforms 

around technology have promoted the integration of various facets of these technologies 

into all classrooms (Greenhow, Robelia, & Hughes, 2009; Jonassen, Howland, Marra, & 

Crismond, 2008;  Xiao & Carroll, 2007). Some of the teacher education practices 

championed in classroom technology include: a professor demonstrating or modeling the 

use of mathematics technology (Picha, 2018; Sturdivant, Dunham, & Jardine, 2009), 

opportunities for pre-service teachers to study mathematics technology (da Ponte, 

Oliveira, & Varandas, 2002), and to engage in authentic implementation of mathematics 

technology (Lin, 2008). Studies have shown that when pre-service teachers are provided 

with the opportunity to observe, investigate and implement technology, they maximize 

their current knowledge of technology integration in a mathematics classroom (Blubaugh, 

2009; Niess, 2001). Even though this category did not appear in the TEDS-M, as 

evidenced in the review above, it is a major category in mathematics education research. 

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Methods 

Participants  

Mathematics methods course syllabi (English only) for pre-service teachers were 

solicited from professors/instructors of mathematics teacher education courses through 

two listserv mailing lists: The Psychology of Mathematics Education (PME) Listserv and 

the Canadian Mathematics Education Study Group (CMESG) Listserv. In total, 147 

syllabi were submitted. Although our intent was to obtain syllabi from every continent, 

we were unable to do so despite numerous invitations. 

The full syllabus set underwent a preliminary filtering to exclude (a) syllabi that 

were not consistent with the methods courses under investigation in this research (e.g., 

syllabi related to practicum/field experience, enrichment mathematics, mathematic 

content exclusive of pedagogy, graduate courses that had a narrow/conceptual focus), and 

(b) syllabi with less than 30 or more than 49 hours of instructional time. Hours of 

instruction were bracketed to ensure that appropriate comparisons were made across 

courses of similar length versus short courses or full year courses. This considerably 

reduced the data set. Multiple syllabi from one institution were not excluded, given that 

differences existed between the syllabi when examined; that is, different instructors 

prepared different versions of mathematics methods courses reflecting differing 

perspectives on essential components. Two researchers and one graduate student coded 

the syllabi and analyzed the data. The two researchers are specialists in mathematics 

education. Interrater reliability was determined by independently reviewing coding by 

two coders and any disagreements were resolved. 

Data Sources  

In total 31 syllabi were analyzed from six different countries, three of which–

Canada, Malaysia, United States—also participated in TEDS-M. The mean length of the 

syllabi in the final sample was 9.3 pages and the mean number of course hours was 37.9 

hours. Each of these courses spanned one academic term (approximately 12 to 13 weeks) 

and was deemed to be as close an approximation of similar hours as possible. To maintain 

anonymity for the course instructors, the syllabi were referred to by country and a 

sequential number (e.g., Canada 1, Canada 2, etc.). 

The final syllabus data set was then broken down into two categories, elementary 

and secondary. Elementary refers to syllabi used in courses that prepare teachers to teach 

kindergarten to grade eight. Secondary refers to syllabi used in courses that prepare 

teachers to teach grades nine through to twelve. This grade breakdown between 

elementary and secondary reflects common groupings in Canada. The final dataset 

included 19 elementary syllabi and 12 secondary syllabi (see Table 2). 

Table 2: Final Syllabus Dataset Sorted by Country (elementary vs. secondary) 

 

Country 

 

Syllabi 

         Level 

Elementary Secondary 

Australia 

Canada 

Italy 

5 

6 

2 

5 

6 

1 

0 

0 

1 

Malaysia 

New Zealand 

United States of 

America 

1 

3 

14 

0 

2 

5 

1 

1 

9 

Total       31   19 12 

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Materials 

The MTEd instrument used in this study is an analytical rubric that uses level one 

through to level four, to evaluate the extent to which the categories emphasized in the 

mathematics education literature and research in the literature review is evidenced in a 

syllabus. Low, moderate, and high tags were assigned to each syllabus based upon the 

cumulative level of the syllabus obtained using the MTEd Instrument. In a similar 

manner, Corlu (2013) developed and applied an analytical rubric to assess STEM courses 

at a university. The cumulative level was determined by adding up the levels from each 

of the individual categories, with one point for each level one, two points for each level 

two, three points for each level three, and four points for each level four. A syllabus was 

tagged as showing low evidence of research if it scored below 22 (total of one point for 

each of the 11 categories), moderate evidence of research if it scored between 22 and 32 

(range of potential points if all categories scored below a level three), and high evidence 

of research if it scored higher than 32 (range of potential scores reflecting inclusion of 

one or more categories at a level four). 

 

Data Analysis 
Each of the syllabi contained in the final syllabus data set (n = 31) were coded 

using the MTEd Instrument. Items on the syllabus could be coded as representing two 

different categories or multiple instances of the same category. If multiple pieces of 

evidence were found for one category within one syllabus, then the highest level noted 

for that category was recorded. If no pieces of evidence were found for a category within 

one syllabus, then the category was given a level one. A ten percent reliability test of 

coding was conducted, and inter-rater reliability was 90%.  

Descriptive statistics were computed to summarize overall levels across the eleven 

research areas analyzed. Qualitative examples of categories were identified. Correlation 

analysis was conducted to examine the relationship between category levels and overall 

levels assigned to each syllabus in elementary-only and secondary-only. Finally, a Mann-

Whitney U test was conducted between two groups found in the final data set, elementary 

and secondary, to see if the distribution of levels varied in a statistically significant way.  

 

Results 
An overall level of high was achieved by eight syllabi since their overall score 

was 33 or higher. An overall level of moderate was achieved by nineteen syllabi since 

their overall score was between 22 and 32. An overall level of low was achieved by four 

syllabi since their overall score was 21 or lower. The overall score assigned to the syllabi 

ranged from 17.0 to 38.0. Of the eight syllabi that scored high, six were elementary, and 

two were secondary. Of the four syllabi that scored low, one was elementary, and three 

were secondary. Consequently, the evidence of research in the course syllabi was 

moderate overall. 

Descriptive analysis (see Table 3) of the 31 course syllabi revealed variation 

across the research areas identified on the MTEd Instrument. Mathematical tasks (M = 

1.77, SD = 0.80) and affect (M = 1.68, SD = 0.87) were the lowest represented on the 

syllabi. Additionally, equity (M = 2.94, SD = 1.41) and technology (M = 3.84, SD = 1.44) 

had the greatest amount of variance. Conversely, the three categories that showed low 

variance were: theory (M = 2.61, SD = 0.67), policy (M = 3.03, SD = 0.75), and content 

(M = 2.71, SD = 0.64).  

 

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Table 3: Overall Descriptive Statistics of Syllabi (n = 31) 

 

          Range 

    N M SD Min. Max. 

Course Hours 31 37.94 5.31 30.00 49.00 

MTEd Categories      

 Reflection 31 2.52 1.03 1.00 4.00 

 Tasks 31 1.77 0.80 1.00 4.00 

 

Lesson 

Study 31 2.71 1.07 1.00 4.00 

 Assessment 31 2.16 0.90 1.00 4.00 

 Theory 31 2.61 0.67 2.00 4.00 

 Policy 31 3.03 0.75 1.00 4.00 

 Equity 31 2.94 1.41 1.00 4.00 

 Affect 31 1.68 0.87 1.00 4.00 

 Content 31 2.71 0.64 1.00 

3.00 

 

 Pedagogy 31 3.03 1.02 1.00 4.00 

 Technology   31 3.84 1.44 1.00 4.00 

Overall Score   31 28.00 5.28 17.00 38.00 

 

Qualitative examples of the cells of the MTEd Instrument are provided in Table 

4. The table does not distinguish between elementary and secondary examples. As we 

will show later, differences in means across cells between elementary and secondary 

syllabi were not significant except for content. Therefore, only one table of examples is 

provided. 

 

 

 

 

 

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 Table 4: Qualitative Examples of MTEd Instrument Cells 

 

Categories  Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Level 4 

Reflection 

 

 

(no 

reference to 

reflection) 

“[teaching 

assignment] 

Comments will focus 

on how successful 

the sequence of 

lessons was 

including in areas for 

improvement, and 

possible directions of 

future lessons.” 

(Australia 4) 

(only one type of 

reflection – posteri) 

“[teaching 

assignment] Following 

your peer teaching 

session you will view 

your lesson on tape 

and write a 2-3-page 

self-analysis/reflection 

paper using feedback 

from the instructor and 

students in the class.”  

(USA 13) 

(two types of reflection 

– initeri while 

watching tape and 

posteri after viewing) 

“[assignment] …weekly reflective journal”  

(Canada 1) 

(a weekly journal is ongoing and thus 

requires all 3 types of reflection – priori, 

initeri, and posteri) 

Mathematic

al Tasks 

 

 

(no reference 

to 

mathematical 

tasks) 

“[lesson planning 

assignment] At least 

two examples of how 

to solve the problem 

you have chosen for 

the main part of the 

lesson. Solutions 

(showing various 

approaches) to the 

questions you are 

assigning for work-

time and/or 

“[assignment] Activity 

of problem solving to 

find an operation that 

is commutative and 

not associative. 

Activity of problem 

solving: the sum of the 

first 100 numbers. 

Activity of problem 

solving: the magic 

square.” 

(Italy 1 - translated) 

“[assignment] Three problem-solving 

assignments will be given to you to complete. 

The main goals of these assignments are for 

you to become a better problem solver 

yourself, to identify and develop strategies 

for solving problems…to reflect on your own 

approach and style in problem solving.”  

(USA 4) 

(extensive opportunity to engage in 

mathematical tasks) 

 

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homework.” (Canada 

6) 

(opportunity to 

engage in only pupil 

level tasks) 

(some opportunity to 

engage in 

mathematical tasks) 

Lesson 

Study 

 

 

(no reference 

to lesson 

planning) 

“[assignment] 

…developing a unit 

of mathematics study 

(individually)… 

include…lesson 

plans (minimum of 

five)” (Canada 1) 

(individual planning 

lessons but they are 

not enacted or 

reflected upon) 

“[course objectives] 

Design and implement 

a mathematics lesson 

in collaboration with 

practicum teacher.”  

(USA 7) 

(collaborative lesson 

planning and 

implementing those 

lessons but no 

reflection piece) 

“[assignment] Plan and teach a mathematics 

lesson…collaborate with your mentor 

teacher on a lesson that you will be 

responsible to teach. After conducting your 

lesson, you need to write a reflection on your 

assessment of the lesson”  

(USA 4) 

(planned collaboratively, presented, and 

reflected upon) 

 

Assessment 

 

 

(no 

reference to 

engaging in 

assessment) 

“[student outcomes] 

…by the end of this 

course, students 

should be able to 

describe a variety of 

formative and 

summative 

assessment 

techniques” (Canada 

1) 

(limited opportunity 

to analyze student 

level work because 

the candidate is only 

required to describe 

assessment 

techniques) 

“[course content] 

Assessment of 

children’s 

mathematical 

understanding, 

performance, and 

disposition.”  

(USA 4) 

(some opportunity to 

analyze the different 

aspects of student level 

work) 

“[student outcomes] Developing 

understanding of curriculum in context by 

assessing students’ work, mathematical 

problems and/or texts.”  

(USA 10) 

(extensive opportunity to analyze student 

level work and other aspects of the 

mathematics program) 

 

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Theory and 

Practice 

Connections 

 

(reference 

only to 

textbook and 

no other 

research) 

“[assignment] 

…article and reading 

summary 

paragraph.”  

(Canada 1) 

(limited opportunity 

to engage with 

research since highly 

structured 

introduction to 

research literature) 

“[assignment] 

…assume 

responsibility for 

reading, reporting on, 

and presenting three 

practitioners’ 

articles…presentation 

should include an 

overview of the 

concepts…along with 

the group’s critique or 

reflections.”  

(USA 7) 

(some opportunity to 

engage with research 

through course being 

grounded in research 

but no chance to 

engage in their own 

inquiry/research) 

“[section under each class schedule with 

research links] Linking Theory and Practice” 

(Canada 3) 

“[inquiry project assignment] … engage in 

teacher/action research…actively involved in 

asking questions aimed at understanding or 

improving teaching.” (Canada 3) 

(extensive and authentic engagement in 

research with links to current research and 

engagement in their own inquiry/research) 

 

Policy and 

Politics of 

Mathematic

s Teaching 

 

(no reference 

to curriculum 

documents or 

political 

aspect of 

education) 

“[course 

description] The 

course provides 

participants the 

opportunity to be 

familiar with the 

organization of 

mathematics through 

the BC’ s math 

curriculum” (Canada 

1) 

(limited evidence of 

policy exploration 

“[lesson topic] 

…familiarization with 

the content standards 

of NCTM, the Ontario 

Curriculum, and 

additional Ministry 

documents (e.g., 

Expert Panel reports 

and support 

documents).” and a list 

of supplementary 

journal readings 

(Canada 6) 

 “[course objective] Critique national 

assessment practices and tasks for 

mathematics” and a list of supplementary 

journal readings 

(Australia 1) 

(extensive evidence of policy exploration due 

to additional readings and critique of 

national standards) 

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since curriculum 

document stated but 

no extra journal 

readings required) 

(some evidence of 

policy exploration due 

to additional readings 

and one class 

discussion) 

Equity and 

Diversity 

 

 

(no reference 

to the 

exploration of 

equity and 

diversity 

issues) 

“[learning 

objectives] 

…developed an 

understanding 

of…suitable teaching 

approaches for 

addressing anxiety 

and other 

mathematical 

phobias.” 

(Australia 5) 

(limited evidence of 

equity exploration 

due to narrow focus 

on mathematics 

specific phobias and 

not the diverse needs 

of contemporary 

students) 

“[lesson topic] 

Multicultural 

Mathematics”  

(Canada 1) 

(a topic for a class but 

not an overriding 

concept for the entire 

course) 

“[course objectives] …apply their 

understanding of student differences and 

needs in the classroom to promote quality 

mathematics for all students.”  

(USA 9) 

(equity statement and an overriding concept 

for the entire course) 

Affect 

 

 

(no reference 

to addressing 

affect issues) 

“[course assignment] 

Mathematics 

Autobiography… 

write your ideas, 

attitudes and beliefs 

about 

mathematics…”  

(USA 13) 

“[generic skill] 

Students will 

develop… confidence 

in addressing personal 

conceptual and skill-

based knowledge of 

mathematics during 

class activities.” 

(Australia 4) 

“[course framework] Reflecting 

Professionally - How does my relationship to 

math, my math thinking, and my teaching 

change over time?” 

(Canada 2) 

(addresses, challenges, and potentially 

changes affect) 

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(addresses affect but 

does not try to 

challenge or 

potentially change it 

(addresses affect and 

challenges students’ 

confidence, but it does 

not try to potentially 

change affect) 

Content 

Knowledge 

 

 

(no reference 

to content 

knowledge 

exploration) 

“[course schedule] 

Algebraic Thinking 

[and] Geometry” 

(USA 10) 

(engaged in only two 

selective components 

of content 

knowledge) 

“[course schedule] 

Geometry and 

Measurement [and] 

Number Concepts and 

Operations [and] 

Patterns and Place 

Value, Fractions [and] 

Percent, and Decimals, 

Statistics and 

Probability Data 

Analysis.” 

(Canada 1) 

 (engaged in content 

knowledge at student 

grade level but not 

taken beyond it) 

 

(no syllabi received on this level since none 

evidenced engagement in broader ranges of 

content knowledge beyond the level of 

instruction of the students) 

Pedagogical 

Content 

Knowledge 

 

(no reference 

to 

pedagogical 

discussion) 

“[learning outcomes] 

…on successful 

completion of this 

course, students 

should be able to 

access strategies to 

implement…relevant 

pedagogy.” 

(Australia 2) 

(examine 

pedagogical 

“[course description] 

…pragmatic activities 

involving the 

development and 

implementation of 

effective teaching and 

learning strategies.” 

(USA 12) 

(examine and develop 

pedagogical strategies 

but no analysis of 

“[course objectives] Be immersed in, discuss 

when and how, and implement the use of 

different instructional strategies appropriate 

for teaching mathematics, including whole 

class, small group, cooperative learning, and 

individual instruction.” 

(USA 7) 

(examine, develop, and analyze pedagogical 

strategies) 

 

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strategies but no 

development or 

analysis of 

pedagogical 

strategies) 

pedagogical 

strategies) 

Technology (no reference 

to the use of 

technology) 

“[course topic] 

Technology” 

(Canada 5) 

(didactic method of 

technology 

investigation since 

technology is limited 

to a course topic to 

be covered by the 

professor) 

“[assignment] 

…lesson plans…one 

based on the use of 

technology”  

(Canada 1) 

(some evidence of 

investigation into 

technology but limited 

to one lesson plan 

opposed to integrating 

technology into an 

entire unit) 

“[technology use statement] Utilize 

technology as a resource for your own 

learning and the learning of children.”  

(USA 4) 

(extensive evidence of investigation into 

technology since it is an overriding concept 

for the entire course) 

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Correlations in the Elementary Syllabus Data Set 

Correlation analysis of elementary syllabi revealed a statistically significant very 

strong positive relationship between technology and overall score (r = .841, p = .000). 

Additionally, numerous statistically significant strong positive relationships were found 

including: reflection and pedagogy (r = .492, p = .016), reflection and overall score (r = 

.484, p = .018), lesson study and assessment (r = .571, p = .005), lesson study and 

technology (r = .418, p = .038), lesson study and overall score (r = .666, p = .001), 

assessment and technology (r = .477, p = .020), assessment and overall score (r = .649, p 

= .001), theory and policy (r = .520, p = .011), policy and overall score (r = .521, p = 

.011), equity and technology (r = .586, p = .004), equity and overall score (r = .575, p = 

.005), and pedagogy and overall score (r = .579, p = .005). Finally, a statistically 

significant moderate positive relationship was found between policy and pedagogy (r = 

.392, p = .048)  

Correlation analysis of elementary syllabi also revealed statistically significant 

strong negative relationships including: course hours and lesson study (r = -.446, p = 

.028), course hours and assessment (r = -.459, p = .024), mathematical tasks and equity 

(r = -.490, p = .017), and mathematical tasks and content (r = -.403, p = .044). Therefore, 

mathematical tasks were negatively related to a focus on equity and content, and more 

course hours did not suggest more lesson study or more evidence of assessment. 

Important to note, course hours and overall score were negatively related and not 

statistically significant (r = -2.99, p = n.s.). 

 

Correlations in the Secondary Syllabus Data Set 

Correlation analysis of secondary syllabi revealed a statistically significant very 

strong positive relationship between technology and overall score (r = .772, p = .002). 

Additionally, numerous statistically significant strong positive relationships were found 

including: course hours and theory (r = .507, p = .046), course hours and affect (r = .510, 

p = .045), reflection and lesson study (r = .641, p = .012), reflection and overall score (r 

= .600, p = .020), lesson study and assessment (r = .647, p = .012), lesson study and 

overall score (r = .562, p = .029), assessment and theory (r = .554, p = .031), assessment 

and policy (r = .514, p = .044), assessment and overall score (r = .664, p = .009), policy 

and overall score (r = .586, p = .023), equity and pedagogy (r = .553, p = .031), equity 

and technology (r = .555, p = .031), equity and overall score (r = .499, p = .049), and 

pedagogy and technology (r = .635, p = .013). 

Correlation analysis of secondary syllabi also revealed statistically significant 

strong negative relationships between mathematical tasks and theory (r = -.696, p = .046) 

and mathematical tasks and affect (r = -.507, p = .046). More evidence of mathematical 

tasks was negatively related to evidence of theory or affect components to the syllabi. 

Important to note, course hours and overall score were not related and not statistically 

significant for secondary syllabi as well (r = .084, p = n.s.). 

Mann-Whitney U 

A Mann-Whitney U test was conducted between the elementary data-set and the 

secondary data-set and the results indicated that evidence of content was greater in the 

elementary syllabi (Mean Rank = 18.11) than in the secondary syllabi (Mean Rank = 

12.67), U = 74.00, p = 0.18, r = .42 and this was statistically significant. There were no 

other statistically significant differences found across any of the other MTEd Instrument 

categories. Therefore, other than around content, evidence of research representing the 

MTEd Instrument categories across both the elementary and secondary syllabi was 

consistent. 

 

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Discussion 
Results suggest that only moderate levels of the dominant areas of research in 

mathematics teacher education were found in the syllabi that were analyzed in this 

research. Technology and assessment were the only categories correlated across both 

datasets to overall score. The elementary and secondary course syllabi only differed in 

content, where elementary syllabi were shown to have a higher overall level. Finally, 

course hours were not related to overall score. This implies that secondary courses likely 

include more content, and this perhaps makes intuitive sense. These findings also imply 

that an overall score, which would suggest high levels of evidence of the categories 

explored in this research, are not influenced by simply more classroom time. 

It is important to note from this study’s result that while the analysis of course 

syllabi showed moderate or no evidence of correlations between certain categories, such 

as course hours and tasks, opportunities to learn these may still emerge when instructors 

connect to them in classroom practices in the implemented curriculum. However, the 

absence of this evidence has led to questions about the importance of transparency of 

course content for students. Numerous scholars have argued that this sort of transparency 

is essential and that it may indeed be why some institutions have policy statements 

regarding course syllabi (Matejka & Kurte, 1994). Conversely, it is important to also note 

that certain items may be stated in a syllabus but may not necessarily be implemented in 

the classroom, while other items may be implemented that may not be stated at the onset 

of the syllabus.  

The categories of mathematical tasks and affect have the lowest mean levels and 

are thus the two categories least represented on mathematics teacher educators’ syllabi. 

It has been proposed that pre-service teachers engage in mathematical tasks to develop a 

deeper understanding of content and learning processes (Chapman, 2007; Watson & 

Sullivan, 2008). Yet, this does not appear to be widely evident on the syllabi examined. 

This finding is worth sharing because mathematical tasks is one of the important attributes 

to assist teachers in engaging students in a meaningful learning. One possible reason for 

the lack of representation of mathematical tasks on mathematics teacher education syllabi 

might be that research on pre-service education in this area is still at an early stage. This 

is not to say that there is no historical research on the importance of mathematical tasks, 

but rather that current research is focusing more on pre-service mathematical tasks, and 

giving consideration to the importance of both student-and teacher-level mathematical 

tasks (Watson & Sullivan, 2008). 

In contrast, research on affect is robust and stretches across many years, which 

makes it unusual that so few syllabi reference affect. Interestingly, affect is proposed to 

influence teaching practice as much as the social context and the teachers’ level of thought 

and reflection (Ernest, 1989; Watson & Sullivan, 2008). Perhaps the only justification for 

the lack of representation of affect in mathematics teacher education syllabi is that 

sometimes it becomes difficult to distinguish beliefs from knowledge, because most 

“teachers treat their beliefs as knowledge” (Thompson, 1992, p. 127). As a result, it could 

be inferred that mathematics teacher educators overlook affect when planning their pre-

service teacher preparation programs because the syllabi already represents, at least 

implicitly, their orientation towards affect.  

Equity and technology have the greatest amount of variance in terms of the levels 

received from syllabus to syllabus, and this is not surprising. This may be because most 

syllabi either mentioned equity and/or technology once in their overriding course goals 

section or not at all. Conversely, the three categories that showed the least amount of 

variance about the levels received from syllabus to syllabus were theory, policy, and 

content. The low variance of levels received suggests that mathematics education is a 

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political endeavor that is closely prescribed by policy and needs to be followed by 

teachers and taught to pre-service teachers.  

Mathematics teacher education research around content knowledge has been 

extensive and vigorous, particularly over the past decade (Adler & Davis, 2006; Ball, 

2000; Ball et al., 2005; Ball & Grevholm, 2008; Stylianides & Stylianides, 2009). As 

stated in the literature review, numerous scholars have attempted to articulate the sorts of 

content knowledge required by future mathematics teachers. Many outgrowths of this 

have occurred (Ball & Grevholm, 2008; Blömeke 2014; NCTM, 2012; Tatto, 2013; Wang 

& Tang, 2013). Overall, the extensive research available on theory-to-practice 

connections and content knowledge may explain why pre-service teacher educators 

include these areas of research in their program and thus, why these two categories 

showed the least amount of variance about the levels received from syllabus to syllabus. 

Content knowledge was the only category on the MTEd Instrument that displayed 

a statistically significant difference between elementary and secondary syllabi (i.e., 

content knowledge was observed more on elementary syllabi than on secondary syllabi). 

This may be due in part because secondary teachers likely have more background in 

mathematics education discipline and thus, mathematics teacher educators may assume 

that content knowledge is not necessarily a crucial aspect of their teacher education 

program. This finding is in line with research which notes that elementary teachers, on 

the other hand, tend to have a smaller number of mathematics courses, and rather explore 

more content knowledge and in ways that make it less difficult (Jonker, 2008).  

The literature on assessment points out that opportunities for pre-service teachers 

to engage in the analysis of student level diagnostic, formative, and summative 

assessment tasks allow them to gain the necessary knowledge and understanding needed 

to teach mathematics (Cunningham & Bennett, 2009; Ketterlin-Geller & Yovanoff, 

2009; Xu & Liu, 2009). It could be argued then that assessment weaves through many 

stages of the teaching and learning processes and thus, an explanation for the relationship 

between assessment and overall score can begin with the realization that assessment is 

embedded into some of the eleven categories on the MTEd Instrument (e.g., lesson study, 

pedagogy, equity).  

Educational reforms around technology have endorsed the advantages of 

integrating information and communication technologies (ICT) into all classrooms 

(Chai, Koh, & Tsai, 2010; Greenhow et al., 2009; Jonassen et al., 2008; Tan et al., 2006; 

Xiao & Carroll, 2007). This type of mass adoption of technology into all facets of 

teaching and learning is a relatively new and an evolving concept as it is still in its 

formative stages as stated by Tsai and Tsai (2019). One can therefore conclude that a 

mathematics teacher education course that integrates technology into its program 

demonstrates an approach to pre-service teacher education that is grounded in current 

research. Moreover, pre-service mathematics teacher education courses that incorporate 

technology into the classroom may also incorporate other educational reforms into their 

program and thus, a high degree of current research in their pre-service teacher education 

course syllabi may also be evident.   

Another surprising result was that no statistically significant positive correlations 

(at p = .01 or below) existed between course hours and overall score. An increase in 

course hours did not potentially yield high score or more lesson study according to this 

research. Whereas this result may be interpreted that more time spent in a course may 

not necessarily lead to greater opportunities to learn for a pre-service teacher, it could 

mean that certain courses focus on in-depth opportunities for selected categories, leaving 

other categories for other methods courses.  

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When considering statistically significant correlations (at p = .01 or below) 

between course hours and individual MTEd Instrument categories, we see that one 

statistically significant strong negative relationship appears between mathematical tasks 

and course hours within the full data set. Again, this result could be interpreted that when 

course hours increase, the level for mathematical tasks activities decreases, and vice 

versa. A plausible interpretation could be that this category could have been the focus on 

another method course or experience. 

 

Limitations of the study 
 There are some limitations in the study that will be addressed. First, the sample 

may not have been fully representative of all mathematics methods courses in a program, 

at a university or in the country, and may not have been vigorous enough to generalize 

the result. Hence, a larger sample size may have been needed, given the methodology 

adopted to reach data saturation. Second, the instrument may need further development 

both in category content and design to obtain deeper and richer data for generalization of 

results. It may be argued that the categories are not fully representative of the field. While 

this may be true, the preliminary contributions of this work and this instrument are viewed 

by us as still noteworthy. 

The MTEd Instrument used a rating scale that was limited to level one through 

level four, which may have caused a compression of trends due to its small range. 

Alternatively, it could be argued that a different or a larger ranged grading scale may be 

appropriate. We recognize the limitations that the MTEd Instrument weighted all the 

categories equally when it could be argued that some of the eleven categories are more 

deferentially important to mathematics teacher education in different contexts. In future 

research, it would be important to use MTEd categories together with categories arising 

from more recent studies. Furthermore, the study does not consider how the syllabus is 

implemented in the classroom or the implications for pre-service teachers’ learning and 

their subsequent practices in their own classrooms. We agree with Hora and Ferrare 

(2013) that firsthand observations of classroom practice and activities, the achieved and 

tested curriculum (Burkhardt et al., 1990) or classroom curriculum (Deng, 2011) would 

capture multiple dimensions of what is learned in mathematics methods courses and how 

this learning comes to life in practice.  

 These limitations should not diminish the importance of this preliminary work, 

given the important first message that a syllabus provides to a student about a discipline 

and their learning.  

 

Suggestions for further research 

Further research that validates the instrument would be important extensions of 

this work. For instance, the strong evidence of technology applied across the dataset, 

may demonstrate that technology is an excellent indicator of overall score on the MTEd 

Instrument. Hence, this measure could be used in place of an elaborate rubric to quickly 

evaluate the extent to which a pre-service teacher mathematics education program 

reflects current research. The MTEd instrument could also be very useful for instructors 

to evaluate intentionally if what is proposed to be optimal for learning in the research is 

reflected in their curricular plans and goals. The MTEd has established a way for teacher 

educators to self-evaluate what is included in their syllabi. Moreover, the more correlated 

categories in both data sets–technology and assessment–could be further studied to 

consider what they entail. 

On the other hand, three categories–mathematical tasks, affect, and content 

knowledge–on the MTEd Instrument did not have any correlation with the overall score 

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of the syllabi. The most surprising result is related to content knowledge. There is 

extensive research available on content knowledge and its importance in teacher 

development (e.g., Ball, 2000; Ball et al., 2005; Ball & Grevholm, 2008; Blömeke, 2014; 

NCTM, 2012; Tatto, 2013; Wang & Tang, 2013). So, it is surprising that no correlation 

exists between content knowledge and overall score. This raises a lot of research 

questions that would need further research, which would in turn replicate the present 

study.  

It would also be of great interest to explore variation in teacher practices 

considering pre-service teachers who participated in courses that exhibited low, 

moderate, and high evidence of research, such as theory and practice connections, policy 

and politics of mathematics teaching within their course syllabi. 

Finally, certain categories reflected on the syllabus may not result in implemented 

curriculum (Burkhardt et al., 1990) in the classroom; and, conversely, those categories 

not listed in the syllabi may nevertheless have been implemented. Further research would 

be useful to explore implemented curriculum in mathematics teacher education programs. 

 

Conclusions 
This study examined paper syllabi from six countries to analyze the intended 

learning experiences and the course effectiveness in mathematics education courses of 

pre-service teachers. Although pre-service teachers take a variety of courses, the focus of 

this research was limited to mathematics education courses.  

This research found that recommendations in research related to the mathematics 

education of pre-service teachers were moderately represented in the course syllabi 

analyzed (according to the MTEd Instrument). Technology and assessment were the only 

two categories that proved to be correlated in both datasets, elementary and secondary 

syllabi differed on content, where elementary syllabi were shown to have a higher overall 

level. Moreover, in terms of representation on the syllabus, equity and technology had 

the greatest amount of variance, followed by three categories—theory, policy, and 

content— that showed low variance with mathematical tasks; whereas affect categories 

had the lowest representation on the syllabi.  

Lastly course hours are not related to overall score, which suggests that more 

course hours may not necessarily result in pre-service teachers gaining qualitative 

differences in knowledge and understanding about research-informed practice. This study 

recommends future research to further examine the relationship between the number of 

course hours a mathematics teacher education course offers and the level of knowledge 

and understanding that pre-service teachers receive from that course.   

 

 

  

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Appendix A: MTEd. Instrument 

 

Low evidence of research 

(overall score less than 22) 

Moderate evidence of research (overall 

score from 22 to 32) 

High evidence of research 

(overall score more than 32) 

 

Categories Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Level 4 

 

1. 

Reflection 

 

No opportunities to 

engage in reflection. 

Opportunities to 

engage in only one 

type of reflection. 

Opportunities to 

engage in only two 

types of reflection. 

Opportunities to engage 

in all three types of 

reflection (priori, initeri, 

and posteri). 

 

2. 

Mathematical 

Tasks 

 

No direct 

engagement with 

mathematical tasks. 

Opportunities to 

engage only in 

either pupil or pre-

service level tasks. 

Some opportunities to 

engage in both types 

of tasks. 

Extensive opportunities 

to engage in both types 

of tasks. 

 

3. 

Lesson Study 

 

No lesson planning. Developing lesson 

plans individually 

or collaboratively 

that are not enacted. 

[No reflection piece] 

 

Developing lesson 

plans individually or 

collaboratively that 

are presented to the 

class. 

[No reflection piece] 

Developing lesson plans 

collaboratively that are 

presented to the class 

and reflected upon. 

 

 

4. 

Assessment 

 

No opportunities to 

engage in 

assessment. 

Limited 

opportunities to 

engage in 

assessment and 

analyze pupil level 

mathematization.  

Some opportunities to 

engage in assessment 

and analyze pupil 

level 

mathematization.  

Extensive opportunities 

to engage in assessment 

and to analyze pupil 

level mathematization.  

 

5. 

Theory and 

Practice 

Connections 

 

No opportunities to 

engage with 

research. 

[e.g., only the 

textbook – no 

references to other 

research] 

 

Limited 

opportunities to 

engage with 

research through 

course readings and 

discussions. 

[e.g., attempt made 

to introduce students 

to research literature 

– highly structured 

or select] 

 

 

Some opportunities to 

engage with research 

through course 

readings and 

discussions (course is 

somewhat grounded 

in research and 

research is evident in 

the course content). 

[e.g., when a new 

topic is introduced the 

students are provided 

with links to current 

research] 

Extensive and 

authentic opportunities 

to engage in and with 

research (course is 

grounded in research 

and research is evident 

in the course content). 

[e.g., when a new topic 

is introduced the 

students are provided 

with links to current 

research and in addition, 

the student has the 

opportunity to engage in 

their own inquiry or 

research] 

 

 

6. 

Policy and 

Politics of 

Mathematics 

Teaching 

 

No evidence of any 

exploration of the 

political aspects of 

mathematics 

education. 

 

Limited evidence of 

exploration of the 

political aspects of 

mathematics 

education. [e.g., 

Regional 

Curriculum 

Documents] 

Some evidence of 

exploration of the 

political aspects of 

mathematics 

education. [e.g., 

Regional Curriculum 

Documents - with 

some journal-type 

readings which further 

the discussion about 

the role of those 

documents] 

Extensive evidence of 

exploration of the 

political aspects of 

mathematics education. 

[e.g., Regional 

Curriculum Documents 

- with lots of journal-

type readings which 

further the discussion 

about the role of those 

documents, and the 

issues (i.e., high stakes 

testing)] 

 

https://ojs.library.ubc.ca/index.php/tci/index


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7. 

Equity and 

Diversity 

 

No evidence of any 

exploration of the 

equity and diversity 

considerations in 

mathematics 

education. 

Limited evidence of 

exploration of the 

equity and diversity 

considerations in 

mathematics 

education. 

Some evidence of 

exploration of the 

equity and diversity 

considerations in 

mathematics 

education. [e.g., one 

lesson] 

Extensive evidence of 

exploration of the equity 

and diversity 

considerations in 

mathematics education. 

[e.g., a diversity 

statement on the syllabi] 

 

 

8. 

Affect 

No evidence of 

addressing the 

implications of 

affect on the 

teaching of 

mathematics. 

Evidence of 

addressing the 

implications of 

affect on the 

teaching of 

mathematics. 

Evidence of 

addressing and 

challenging the 

implications of affect 

on the teaching of 

mathematics. 

Evidence of addressing, 

challenging, and 

potentially changing 

the implications of 

affect on the teaching of 

mathematics. 

 

 

9. 

Content 

Knowledge 

No evidence of 

exploration of 

content knowledge 

at any level. 

Engaging in a 

selective 

component of 

content knowledge 

at the level of 

instruction of the 

students. 

 

Engaging in content 

knowledge at the 

level of instruction of 

the students. 

Engaging in broader 

ranges of content 

knowledge beyond the 

level of instruction of 

the students. 

 

10. 

Pedagogical 

Content 

Knowledge  

 

No evidence of 

pedagogical 

discussion. 

 

Examine 

pedagogical 

strategies. [e.g., 

limited opportunity 

for critical analysis] 

Examine and develop 

pedagogical 

strategies. [e.g., some 

opportunity for critical 

analysis] 

Examine, develop, and 

analyze pedagogical 

strategies. [e.g., 

extensive opportunity 

for critical analysis] 

 

11. 

Technology 

No evidence of 

technology 

integration. 

Didactic methods 

of technology 

investigation and 

implementation. 

[e.g., teacher-led 

only] 

Some evidence of pre-

service teacher 

investigation and 

implementation of 

technology. [e.g., one 

lesson] 

Extensive evidence of 

pre-service teacher 

investigation and 

implementation of 

technology. [e.g., a unit 

of study or a technology-

use statement in the 

syllabi] 

 

 

 

  

https://ojs.library.ubc.ca/index.php/tci/index


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Notes  
 

 
1 leslie.anne.unsworth@gmail.com 
2 inamukas@uwo.ca 
3 karyee@uwo.ca 
4 dkotsopo@uwo.ca 
 

 

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Submitted: January, 10th. 

 

Approved: July, 5th. 

 

 

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