Characterising the teaching of university mathematics: a case of linear algebra

Abstract

This paper focuses on university mathematics teaching where the topic is linear\nalgebra. The research team includes two mathematics educators and a\nmathematician who collaborate to study the teaching approach and the issues it\nraises for teaching-learning at university level. We see university mathematics to\nconstitute a community of practice in which the practitioners are those who do\nmathematics. Such a perspective draws sociohistorically on established practices in\ndoing, learning and teaching mathematics within a university. The paper offers an\ninterpretation of these theoretical perspectives in relation to a first year course on\nLinear Algebra. We look at how teaching is constructed within the particular setting,\nwith a critical eye on the learners, on learning outcomes and on the tensions\nexperienced by the lecturer in satisfying student needs and mathematical values.