Its present instruments to support the training of mathematics teachers

The Fondef project D05I – 10211 “Tools for the Formation of Mathematics teachers of High School Education” it was developed by the Universidad de Chile and had as institutions associated the Ministry of Education and the Chilean Academy of Sciences. Within the scope of closing the activities of investigation and development, this Monday 21st of December there was carried out a seminar which aim was announce the process of construction of the monographs and the methodology of the study of cases, and to share the experiences of all those who took part in the project.

For Patricio Felmer, director of the project and associate research of the Center for Mathematical Modeling, FCFM – U. de Chile, in the long term Fondef will be a great contribution and even will awake the interest in other countries. “The monographs have the necessary characteristics to be used in courses, seminars or as support and complementary material, and it can be adapt to any curriculum, due to it flexibility. We are sure that this collection will be estimated internationally, basically between the Spanish-speaking countries.”

The methodology of study of cases, while, it focuses in the pedagogic preparation of the students. “A solid formation in the mathematical contents is fundamental for the success of a future teacher, but it is not enough, must be prepared also in the pedagogic aspect; it must know how to teach mathematics. Through this methodology we do a new and powerful offer to the formation of the future teachers, from an integration perspective of mathematics and pedagogy.” This tool has been already incorporated into the careers of pedagogy in many universities, among them, Católica del Maule, de Chile, de Concepción, de La Serena, Metropolitana de Ciencias de la Educación y Católica Pontificia Universidad de Valparaíso.

In the seminar “Experiences and Challenges in the Formation of Mathematics teachers of Junior High Education” it was presented a study of cases and it corresponding analysis. During the activity a forum was also realized on the contributions of the Fondef project and the challenges in the preparation of the pedagogy students.

The Fondef project D05I – 10211 “Tools for the Formation of Mathematics teachers” has as aim contribute to the improvement of the pedagogic and disciplinary quality the students of pedagogy in mathematics, across the incorporation of a Methodology of Studies of Cases and the development of a collection of Monographs of mathematical contents. In addition, this tries to achieve a major coordination and integration between the careers of pedagogy in mathematics, for that, important efforts have been realized to congregate to mathematicians and specialists in topics of learning of the mathematics concerning the teachers' formation of several universities. The formation of multidisciplinary teams of work will help to foment the dialog between the interested people who take part in the teachers' formation of mathematics and it will help to strengthen the institutions, obtaining formative, updated, complete and more coherent programs. The monographs Written by out-standing Chilean and foreign mathematicians, this collection of 15 monographs has for purpose strengthen the disciplinary formation of the students of pedagogy in mathematics, giving to them material in Spanish and specially orientated to their needs. The selection of the topics of every monograph was based on the results of the Fondef project: “Standards for the Formation in Sciences Teachers of Junior High Education,” that showed the specific failures in the disciplinary formation respect to the new topics and approaches are appearing strongly in the school curriculum, like: probabilities and statistics, mathematical modeling and applications. The incorporation of these topics gives an updated and modern collection. The Methodology of Study of Cases This methodology consists of presenting a real problem in order the students discuss about the topic, admit difficulties and show solutions, or in it fault, they work in the problem individually, then present the analysis of the situation and it possible solution. This tool is higly used in careers related to economy, administration, medicine and laws.  Inside the development of the Fondef project there were created cases that showed controversial situations inside the classroom, typical of the education of the mathematics and it teachs that the pedagogic conflicts in the classroom are inevitable. This methodology helps pedagogy students to recognize weaknesses and mathematical strengths, to discover different points of view and demonstrate the need to explain, in a simple language, deep aspects of this subject. In addition, on having proposed and design didactic strategies to solve the conflict, the future teachers wil reinforce their aptitudes to lead the school learning.