Horizon Content Knowledge: shaping MKT for a continuous mathematical education

Abstract

Mathematics learning is a continuous process in which students face some abrupt episodes involving many changes of different natures. This work is focused on one of those episodes, transition from primary to secondary school, and targets teachers and their mathematical knowledge. By characterising the mathematical knowledge that teachers of mathematics need to smooth transition processes, we aim to highlight teachers’ impact in the continuity of mathematics education. The concept of Mathematical Knowledge for Teaching (MKT) developed by Ball among others (Ball, Thames & Phelps, 2008) and, within this framework, the construct Horizon Content Knowledge (HCK) emerge as our theoretical response to the knowledge needed for teaching mathematics in a continuous way, particularly relevant during transition to secondary school. The enrichment of the idea of HCK and the characterisation of its expression in the teaching practice intends to develop a theoretical tool to approach transition from teachers’ mathematical knowledge perspective.