| This study surveyed 210 prospective second-level mathematics teachers from five universities in the Republic of Ireland. They were asked to reflect on their own experiences studying mathematics in an effort to gain insight into their beliefs about the nature of mathematics and mathematics teaching and learning. Their beliefs were set in the context of key documents, which outline the purpose and objectives of second-level education in Ireland. The results demonstrate that, upon completing a primary degree and enrolling in a Postgraduate Diploma in Education (PGDE), many prospective teachers' beliefs about mathematics were inconsistent with those underlying key components of both the Irish Leaving Certificate syllabus and the newly launched reform initiative, "Project Maths."... |
