Rede de Aprendizagem e Desenvolvimento da Docência: expressions of the geometric thinking of teachers who teach mathematics in the early years of elementary school

Abstract

What expressions of geometric thinking are manifested by teacher participants in the Teaching Learning and Development Network? This is the problem that arouses the interest to investigate that network, a training space that included beginners, experienced, and future teachers who teach and will teach mathematics. The aim was analyzing expressions of geometric thinking of these teacher participants in this network. Such expressions were manifested through their records that revealed concerns related to (1) the role of language and representations in geometry classes; (2) the defining attributes of geometric figures (3) the location and movement in space. This research is qualitative and uses data built in discussion forums, in which an online dialogue was established. Through the identification of the expressions of geometric thought, we indicated, for the area of teacher training that teach Mathematics, a training proposal with teachers that starts from their practices, beliefs and/or conceptions, in order to create an environment that enable reflection on what is done and how it is done. It was understood that teacher training goes beyond the explanation and presentation of mathematical concepts to the participants, of alternative teaching methodologies, carried out by trainers. The dialogue established in a training network is based on the value of the actions that the subjects involved perform in the school’s daily life.

Keywords
Mathematical Education; Geometric Thinking; Teacher training; Teachers who teach mathematics