Mapping of Preschool Class Mathematics Teaching about Numbers - Qualitative Differences and Learning Opportunities

Abstract

Under hösten 2021 gjordes en kartläggning av matematikundervisningen i 95 förskoleklasser i syfte att bidra med kunskap om vad kvalitet i undervisning kan innebära och vad elever ges möjligheter att lära om tal, tals egenskaper och dess användning. Analysverktyget "Mediating Primary Mathematics" användes för att identifiera skillnader i undervisningens kvalitet, det vill säga hur ett matematiskt innehåll behandlades och medierades i undervisningen. Resultatet visar på en variation i hur innehållet medieras och därmed vad elever ges möjligheter att lära. Goda undervisningsexempel har observerats, samtidigt som utvecklingsområden identifierats. Artefakter förekommer ofta, men används inte alltid på sätt som synliggör matematiska samband och innebörder. Lösningsmetoder får sällan stå i centrum för undersökning, jämförelse och värdering i undervisningen. Elevinspel bekräftas ofta, samtidigt som det blir tydligt att undervisningen sällan erbjuder utveckling och bearbetning av dessa. Mapping of Preschool Class Mathematics Teaching about Numbers - Qualitative Differences and Learning Opportunities During the autumn of 2021, an observational study was conducted in 95 Swedish preschool classes with the aim of mapping and describing the quality of teaching. The framework "Mediating Primary Mathematics" was utilized to identify and assess variations in the quality of teaching about numbers, their properties, and usage, that is, how the mathematical content was treated and mediated in the teaching situation. The result revealed variations in how the mathematical content was mediated, which impacted the learning opportunities provided to students. While several examples of high-quality mathematics teaching were observed, areas for improvement were also identified. Artifacts were frequently used in teaching, although their usage did not consistently emphasize mathematical relationships and meanings. Furthermore, teaching rarely emphasized comparison and evaluation of different solution methods. Student contributions were often acknowledged, but it became evident that their input was rarely elaborated upon.