Students' and Teachers' Conceptions of Mathematics in the New Curriculum of Mainland China

  • Ding Rui (Department of Curriculum and Instruction, Chinese University of Hong Kong) ;
  • Wong Ngai-Ying (Department of Curriculum and Instruction, Chinese University of Hong Kong)
  • Published : 2006.09.01

Abstract

In this research, we interviewed primary school teachers and students with hypothetical situations questions and got a comprehensive picture of the status quo of what is happening in the new mathematics classrooms of Mainland China, that is, teachers' conceptions of mathematics and their teaching approaches influence the students' conceptions of mathematics to a large extent. For the teacher who emphasizes the precision and rigidity of mathematics, her students focus on the superficial characteristics of mathematics. On the contrary, for the teacher who believes that mathematics is an open process, related to real life and rich in content, her students are more interested in mathematics and have more diverse conceptions.

Keywords