Journal of the Mathematics Council of the Alberta Teachers’ Association
Volume 45 Issue 1, December 2007
21 – 26
Learning Mathematics: A Change in Focus
P Janelle McFeetors
Over the last several decades, reforms made to classroom practice have significantly shifted teaching methods from teacher-centred to student-centred instruction (Chazan 2000; National Council of Teachers of Mathematics 2000). These reforms have brought about changes from direct instruction to inquiry models of teaching (Boldt and Levine 1999; Borasi 1992). Teachers have focused on transforming their teaching practice, noticing the shift in their role from delivering content to guiding students’ exploration (Brown and Smith 1997; Verkaik and Ritsema 2006). Teachers take note of their effectiveness in the classroom by recognizing their students’ decreased dependence on them during the learning process
