Teacher Professional Learning in Applying the Geometer’s Sketchpad to Mathematics Instruction
Abstract: We constructed a teacher professional learning community to assist mathematics teachers in adopting the Geometers’ Sketchpad (GSP) software in the classroom and explored teacher professional learning. Research data were collected qualitatively through videotaped teacher discussions, worksheets designed for student learning of geometry concepts with the GSP, and field notes. We applied the cK¢ conceptual framework to analyze the worksheets. Our findings showed that, although teachers in two cases were skillful in computer operation and programming in addition to having a rich teaching experience, these advantages did not transfer to their worksheet design in the initial phase of professional learning. By participating in the created learning community, both teachers displayed individual pathways of adopting the GSP to mathematics teaching and the trajectory of their professional development.