Gravemeijer, Bruin-Muurling, Kraemer, & van Stiphout (2016)

Shortcomings of Mathematics Education Reform in The Netherlands: A Paradigm Case?

• Authors: Koeno Gravemeijer, Geeke Bruin-Muurling, Jean-Marie Kraemer, and Irene van Stiphout
• Journal: Mathematical Thinking and Learning
• Year: 2016
• Source: http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/10986065.2016.1107821

Abstract

This article offers a reflection on the findings of three PhD studies, in the domains of, respectively, subtraction under 100, fractions, and algebra, which independently of each other showed that Dutch students' proficiency fell short of what might be expected of reform in mathematics education aiming at conceptual understanding. In all three cases, the disappointing results appeared to be caused by a deviation from the original intentions of the reform, resulting from the textbooks' focus on individual tasks. It is suggested that this "task propensity", together with a lack of attention for more advanced conceptual mathematical goals, constitutes a general barrier for mathematics education reform. This observation transcends the realm of textbooks, since more advanced conceptual mathematical understandings are underexposed as curriculum goals. It is argued that to foster successful reform, a conscious effort is needed to counteract task propensity and promote more advanced conceptual mathematical understandings as curriculum goals.

Corrolary

APA

Gravemeijer, K., Bruin-Muurling, G., Kraemer, J.-M., & van Stiphout, I. (2016). Shortcomings of mathematics education reform in The Netherlands: A paradigm case? Mathematical Thinking and Learning, 18(1), 25–44. http://doi.org/10.1080/10986065.2016.1107821

BibTeX

@article{Gravemeijer2016,
author = {Gravemeijer, Koeno and Bruin-Muurling, Geeke and Kraemer, Jean-Marie and van Stiphout, Irene},
doi = {10.1080/10986065.2016.1107821},
journal = {Mathematical Thinking and Learning},
number = {1},
pages = {25--44},
title = {{Shortcomings of mathematics education reform in The Netherlands: A paradigm case?}},
url = {http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/10986065.2016.1107821},
volume = {18},
year = {2016}
}