Mathematical modelling in teacher education: experience with the SRP-TE in primary school education

This paper describes and analyses a proposal for primary school preservice teacher education based on the Study and Research Paths for Teacher Education (SRP-TE), emerged within the framework of the anthropological theory of the didactic (ATD). We focus on a case study of a course about Didactics of Mathematics II in the last year of the Education Degree on Primary school level, at the University of Barcelona. This course is composed of different SRPTE, to address professional questions related to the teaching of mathematical modelling. We have chosen one of the three SRP-TE called The cake box. The reports submitted during the training activities, as well as a survey distributed to the trainee teachers at the end of the course (with a total of 257 responses) are taken as main empirical data. They allow us to describe and analyse, firstly, the professional questions addressed, and the specific training activities planned, as well as the transfer of analysis and design tools. Secondly, the analysis of the surveys allows us to complement the results with the participants' assessment and opinion on the different modules and activities of the SRP-TE, as well as the use and usefulness of the transferred tools. The paper concludes by highlighting the main training strategies implemented throughout the SRP-TE to progress in the questioning, analysis and design of modelling activities at primary school level.