The purpose of this study has been to analyze and compare a Swedish textbook in mathematics with a Finnish textbook, to investigate how tasks connected to the field of algebra are presented in the textbooks. To carry out the analysis, I will assume Bernstein’s theoretical concepts classification, frames and sequencing, to be able to study if there is a difference in how the content and structure connected to the field of algebra, are presented in the textbooks. I have also used Rezat’s theoretical model of mathematic textbook use and the Frame factor theory, in order to also find out how the individual teachers are reasoning about the textbooks they have selected. On the basis of the information above, the following questions have been used in this study: In what way is algebra presented in the compared textbooks? Are there any differences regarding the content and presentation of algebra in the Swedish textbook, compared to the Finnish textbook? How do the interviewed teachers’ reflect regarding the textbook they had selected? The study is based on a qualitative method such as a comparative analysis and three semi-structured interviews with class teachers. The result shows that the there are differences in how the field of algebra is presented in the textbooks. The Finnish textbooks consist of a larger amount of algebraic tasks and it also showed a higher progression in the tasks, compared with the Swedish textbooks. This may be one of the explanations why Finnish students perform better in mathematics. The conclusion of the study’s result also show that there are differences regarding the content in the textbooks and how it is presented, which makes it important for teachers to make a deliberate and conscious choice, when selecting teaching materials.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:UPSALLA1/oai:DiVA.org:sh-29066 |
| Date | January 2015 |
| Creators | Pontenius, Katarina |
| Publisher | Södertörns högskola, Lärarutbildningen |
| Source Sets | DiVA Archive at Upsalla University |
| Language | Swedish |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Student thesis, info:eu-repo/semantics/bachelorThesis, text |
| Format | application/pdf |
| Rights | info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess |
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