Teachers' perspectives on mathematics education research reports

Abstract

Practicing teachers’ perspectives on a set of mathematics education research reports are described. Data were gathered through e-mail messages, group discussions, and questionnaires. Teachers identified positive influences of research on practice aligned with some of the strands of proficient mathematics teaching identified by Kilpatrick, Swafford, and Findell (2001). Teachers also gave negative critiques of the ability of research to influence practice aligned with Kennedy’s (1997) discussion of historical factors underlying the gap between educational research and practice. The variety of perspectives documented provides some empirical ground for informing actions in the areas of teacher education and research.