Domain-Specific Belief Systems of Secondary Mathematics Teachers

Abstract

This chapter focuses on belief systems of secondary mathematics teachers as part of teachers’ mathematics-related affect. Our particular interest concerns teachers’ belief systems that represent the teachers’ instructional planning. Further we focus briefly on the impact of the teachers’ belief systems on their classroom practice and their professional development. In this paper we discuss our theoretical approach in relation to the international discussion on mathematics-related affect. After a brief outline of methodological considerations, the structure of calculus teachers’ belief systems is analyzed with regard to the issue of central and peripheral beliefs and the relationships of belief clusters. Secondly we comment on patterns found in the belief systems of teachers thinking about different mathematical domains. An identification of distinctive features of beliefs regarding different mathematical domains is followed by an analysis of the impact of teachers’ beliefs on their classroom practice and their professional development.