Uncovering the Special Mathematical Work of Teaching

Abstract

Suppose a person is engaged in a complex activity, such as teaching. What determines what that person does, on a moment-by-moment basis, as he or she engages in that activity? What resources does the person draw upon, and why? What shapes the choices the person makes? I claim that if you know enough about a teacher’s knowledge, goals, and beliefs, you can explain every decision he or she makes, in the midst of teaching. In this paper I give examples showing what shapes teachers’ decision-making, and explain the theory.