RESEARCH PAPER
A Trio of Courses to Support Mathematics Transfer Students’ Development of Professional Vision
More details
Hide details
1
University of California, Santa Barbara, USA
Publication date: 2022-02-09
EURASIA J. Math., Sci Tech. Ed 2022;18(3):em2086
KEYWORDS
ABSTRACT
This study explored the development of professional vision as related to transfer students
becoming upper division, four-year mathematics students. We drew from qualitative focus groups
with 21 participants at a four-year research university, who were enrolled in a trio of concurrent
transitional mathematics courses. We examined the development of professional vision in three
areas: engaging in proof and problem solving, being a member of a university mathematics
community, and finding a future in mathematics. We found that students developed professional
vision related to proof and problem solving, including experiences that were more abstract, more
proof-based, and more problem solving-based. Development of community as part of the
students’ professional vision was embedded throughout the cohort model, a noteworthy aspect
of the trio of courses. Finally, students’ professional vision around finding a future in mathematics
developed around future careers in mathematics, as well as students’ access to and knowledge of
future career opportunities. Ultimately, diminished timelines exacerbated many of students’
struggles, as related to professional vision or otherwise.
REFERENCES (35)
1.
Brown, S. A. (2017). Who’s there? A study of students’ reasoning about a proof of existence. International Journal of Research in Undergraduate Mathematics Education, 3(3), 466-495.
https://doi.org/10.1007/s40753....
2.
David, E. J., & Zazkis, D. (2020). Characterizing introduction to proof courses: A survey of US R1 and R2 course syllabi. International Journal of Mathematical Education in Science and Technology, 51(3), 388-404.
4.
Gordon, S., & Nicholas, J. (2013). Students’ conceptions of mathematics bridging courses. Journal of Further and Higher Education, 37(1), 109-125.
https://doi.org/10.1080/030987....
5.
Gravengaard, G., & Rimestad, L. (2012). Elimination of ideas and professional socialisation: Lessons learned at newsroom meetings. Journalism Practice, 6(4), 465-481.
https://doi.org/10.1080/175127....
6.
Grossman, P., Hammerness, K., & McDonald, M. (2009). Redefining teaching, re‐imagining teacher education. Teachers and Teaching: Theory and Practice, 15(2), 273-289.
https://doi.org/10.1080/135406....
7.
Hills, J. R. (1965). Transfer shock: The academic performance of the junior college transfer. The Journal of Experimental Education, 33(3), 201-215.
https://doi.org/10.1080/002209....
8.
Jacobson, T., Delano, J., Krzykowski, L., Garafola, L., Nyman, M., & Barker-Flynn, H. (2017). Transfer student analysis and retention: A collaborative endeavor. Reference Services Review, 45(3), 421-439.
https://doi.org/10.1108/RSR-10....
10.
Levine, A., & Shanfelder, B. (2000). The transition to advanced mathematics. Problems, Resources, and Issues in Mathematics Undergraduate Studies, 10(2), 97-110.
https://doi.org/10.1080/105119....
11.
Lopez, C., & Jones, S. J. (2017). Examination of factors that predict academic adjustment and success of community college transfer students in STEM at 4-year institutions. Community College Journal of Research and Practice, 41(3), 168-182
https://doi.org/10.1080/106689....
13.
Matthews, R. (1996). Learning communities: A retention strategy that serves students and faculty. American Association of State Colleges and Universities.
14.
Mattis, M. C., & Sislin, J. (2005). Enhancing the community college pathway to engineering careers. National Academies Press.
15.
Melguizo, T., Kienzl, G. S., & Alfonso, M. (2011). Comparing the educational attainment of community college transfer students and four-year college rising juniors using propensity score matching methods. The Journal of Higher Education, 82(3), 265-291.
https://doi.org/10.1080/002215....
16.
Miles, M. B., Huberman, A. M., & Saldaña, J. (2020). Qualitative data analysis: A methods sourcebook. SAGE.
18.
Mustonen, V., & Hakkarainen, K. (2015). Tracing two apprentices’ trajectories toward adaptive professional expertise in fingerprint examination. Vocations and Learning, 8(2), 185-211.
https://doi.org/10.1007/s12186....
20.
Piotrowski, C., & Hemasinha, R. (2012). Career path decisions of masters-level mathematics students: A comparative review. College Student Journal, 46(4), 823-828.
21.
Polhill, J. B. (2007). Improving retention in a stem field with a major specific one-credit course for first year students. Louisiana Association of Teachers of Mathematics, 4(2), 1-10.
http://www2.southeastern.edu/o....
22.
Provasnik, S., & Planty, M. (2008). Community colleges: Special supplement to the condition of education 2008 (NCES 2008-033). National Center for Education Statistics, Institute of Education Sciences, U.S. Department of Education.
http://nces.ed.gov/pubs2008/20....
23.
Raby, R. L., Friedel, J. N., & Valeau, E. J. (2013). A discussion on community colleges and global counterparts completion policies. Community College Journal of Research and Practice, 40(11), 961-964.
https://doi.org/10.1080/106689....
24.
Reyes, M. E. (2011). Unique challenges for women of color in STEM transferring from community colleges to universities. Harvard Educational Review, 81(2), 241-26
https://doi.org/10.17763/haer.....
25.
Saldaña, J. (2016). The coding manual for qualitative researchers. SAGE.
26.
Santagata, R., König, J., Scheiner, T., Nguyen, H., Adleff, A. K., Yang, X., & Kaiser, G. (2021). Mathematics teacher learning to notice: A systematic review of studies of video-based programs. ZDM-Mathematics Education, 1-16.
https://doi.org/10.1007/s11858....
27.
Scott, T. P., Thigpin, S. S., & Bentz, A. O. (2015). Transfer learning community: Overcoming transfer shock and increasing retention of mathematics and science majors. Journal of College Student Retention: Research, Theory & Practice, 19(3), 300-316.
https://doi.org/10.1177/152102....
28.
Sherin, M. G., & Van Es, E. A. (2009). Effects of video club participation on teachers’ professional vision. Journal of Teacher Education, 60(1), 20-37.
https://doi.org/10.1177/002248....
30.
Stage, F., & Maple, S. (1996). Incompatible goals: Narratives of graduate women in the mathematics pipeline. American Educational Research Journal, 33(1), 23-51.
https://doi.org/10.3102/000283....
31.
Styhre, A. (2011). The architect’s gaze: The maintenance of collective professional vision in the work of the architect. Culture and Organization, 17(4), 253-269.
https://doi.org/10.1080/147595....
32.
Thoma, A, & Nardi, E. (2017). Transition from school to university mathematics: Manifestations of unresolved commognitive conflict in first year students’ examination scripts. International Journal of Research in Undergraduate Mathematics Education, 4(1), 166-180.
https://doi.org/10.1007/s40753....
33.
Townsend, B. K., & Wilson, K. (2006). “A hand hold for a little bit”: Factors facilitating the success of community college transfer students to a large research university. Journal of College Student Development, 47(4), 439-456.
https://doi.org/10.2190/CS.10.....
34.
Yin, R. K. (2016). Qualitative research from start to finish. The Guilford Press.
35.
Yosso, T. J., Smith, W. A., Ceja, M., & Solórzano, D. G. (2009). Critical race theory, racial microaggressions, and campus racial climate for Latina/o undergraduates. Harvard Educational Review, 79(4), 659-690.
https://doi.org/10.17763/haer.....