Defining as a Vehicle for Professional Development of Secondary School Mathematics Teachers

Abstract

This paper describes a professional development program for secondary school mathematics teachers. The issue of mathematical definition is the focus of the program. The program aimed to develop teachers’ subject matter knowledge including knowledge of substance of mathematics and knowledge about the nature and discourse of mathematics. The rationale of the course is described as well as some outcomes of its implementation. The activities included in the program deal with some mathematical concepts and different didactical approaches to secondary school mathematics. The two activities presented in this paper, exemplify some of the ideas.