Mathematical knowledge for teaching
MKT is a topic that has been widely studied since the 1980s in the 20th century (e.g., Gualdrón, Ávila, & Ordoñez, 2021; Sosa & Carrillo, 2012; Gómez, 2014). It seeks to understand what are the conceptual tools that a mathematics teacher must have to satisfactorily do his or her job. First, there is the mathematical content knowledge that implies a deep mastery of the mathematical concepts, procedures and structures taught in the school curriculum (Velásquez, Cisneros, & Castro, 2015). That is, fully understanding the contents and the connections between them. In addition, it is crucial to have pedagogical knowledge of the content, which allows teachers to transform mathematical knowledge into accessible and meaningful forms for students (Velásquez & Cisneros, 2013). This involves knowing how to present, explain, and organize mathematical concepts, as well as diagnose and address students' learning difficulties (Hill, et al., 2008).
Another important aspect is knowledge of the curriculum, which implies that teachers know the objectives, standards, and sequences of the mathematics curriculum, as well as knowledge of the educational context: student characteristics, school policies and practices, available resources, and environmental challenges and opportunities (Hill, Ball and Schilling, 2008).
Finally, knowledge of students' learning and developmental processes is critical.
Teachers must have a solid understanding of how students learn mathematics and how they develop cognitively and emotionally. This involves knowing the common stages and obstacles in learning mathematics, as well as using effective strategies to support student development (Shulman, 1986).
Modern didactics of mathematics
At the same time, teachers are expected to approach mathematics teaching from a constructivist approach, in which students build their own knowledge from the interaction with numbers and measurements in their environment, in the context of meaningful mathematical activities, such as problem solving through deep mathematical reasoning. It is also sought that these teachers do not teach mathematics in isolation, but that it be applied to problem solving, understanding that this would promote critical thinking, creativity, and the ability to transfer acquired knowledge to new and/or everyday situations (Skovsmose, 1994; Lesh & Doerr, 2003).
It is also common for ICT to serve as a means for mathematical modeling, with tools such as symbolic calculus software, graphing calculators, and dynamic geometry software.
Additionally, collaborative learning environments are favored, in which all students feel capable towards mathematics according to their roles in problem solving. (Lesh & Doerr, 2003).
Additionally, recent studies have shown that mathematics teachers tend to privilege the cognitive over the attitudinal and procedural skills (Lopez & Alsina, 2016) and that the evaluation style they develop "focuses on the development of merely mechanical procedures" in which the evaluation of affective aspects is "notably less considered" (Cardenas Lizarazo, Blanco Nieto, Guerrero Barona, and Caballero Carrasco, 2016).
Curriculum plan for the subject "Mathematical Thinking" at the Escuela Normal Superior Cristo Rey
The “Escuela Normal Superior Cristo Rey” in Barrancabermeja offers a training space focused on the development of mathematical thinking, within the framework of scientific and technological competence. (Escuela Normal Superior Cristo Rey, 2021). The objective of the program is to train teachers from a humanizing creative approach, capable of addressing educational problems and participating in the construction of a just and democratic society. The objective of this training space is to provide teachers in training with elements to guide the teaching of mathematics, promoting progress and continuity in the learning of students. It seeks to enhance students' scientific and technological thinking skills to solve problematic situations specific to their context.
The training space addresses the importance of mathematics as part of culture and its relevance for students to acquire the knowledge and skills necessary to function in society. Emphasis is placed on the development of mathematical competencies that allow students to interpret and express information clearly, apply mathematical knowledge in everyday situations, use reasoning processes to solve problems and be confident in the use of mathematical tools. The focus of the training space is to provide tools to teachers in training to facilitate the learning of mathematics in preschool and elementary school children, through pedagogical strategies, analysis of curricular guidelines and class observation.
The justification for this training space lies in the need for teachers in training to acquire a solid knowledge of mathematics and develop new teaching strategies to overcome fear and generate genuine interest in students. Furthermore, it is emphasized that the mastery of mathematics is fundamental to understand the complexity of reality and to open doors in society. The theoretical references that support this training space include the problem-solving model of George Polya (1990), the principles and standards for teaching and learning mathematics by Font, Godino, Goñi, & Planas (2011), and the didactics of mathematics in early childhood education by Arteaga Martínez & Macías Sánchez (2016).
The programmatic content of the training space is organized into thematic units, addressing topics such as conceptions about mathematics, teaching-learning models, problem solving and the relationship of mathematics with society. The methodology employed includes the presentation of the training space, the recognition of the students' mathematical knowledge, the analysis of different ways of teaching mathematics and problem solving. The evaluation is based on evidence of knowledge, procedure, and attitude, assessing the mastery of concepts, the development of assigned workshops and student participation.
The educational institution
The present study was conducted in the city of Barrancabermeja, Colombia; at the Escuela Normal Superior Cristo Rey, a state educational institution which offers preschool, elementary, and secondary school, middle school, and the CTP, where this study was applied.
The CTP is offered to students who finish their studies at the institution to take it in a period of four semesters and obtain the title of "Normalista Superior" (Teacher for pre-school and primary), which, under Colombian law, qualifies them as education professional teachers at the preschool and elementary school level. High school graduates from other schools may also take the program, but they must first complete an "introductory" semester, which means that, in their case, the program will last five semesters.
The Escuela Normal Superior Cristo Rey is the most outstanding official educational institution at the municipal level and one of the best at regional level. The purpose of the Escuela Normal Superior Cristo Rey is "to train teachers to perform at the Pre-school and Primary Basic Cycle levels of education through a humanizing pedagogy, which leads to an active commitment to the transformation of the environment." (Escuela Normal Superior Cristo Rey, 2018).
The pedagogical model of the Cristo Rey Teacher Training College is shown in Fig. 1.