What expert teachers know

This material was taken from M1 - Introduction to teaching mathematics Links to an external site. within the AustMS unit.

Whilst the research on learning tells us about how students learn as individuals constructing knowledge, and how they learn from each other, the other major influence in the classroom is the teacher – the knowledge and activities of the effective teacher.

Shulman (1987) identified the following specific knowledge that expert teachers know:

1. the academic subjects they teach;
2. general teaching strategies independent of discipline (classroom management, effective teaching, evaluation);
3. applicable curriculum materials and programs for their subject;
4. subject specific knowledge for teaching: teaching different types of students and teaching particular concepts;
5. the characteristics and cultural backgrounds of learners;
6. the settings in which students learn: pairs, small groups, classes etc.; and
7. the goals and purposes of teaching.