Understanding Malaysian Pre-Service Teachers Mathematical Content Knowledge and Pedagogical Content Knowledge

Abstract

Background:This article seeks to present findings from the analysis of the TEDS-M reports on the mathematical content knowledge (MCK) and pedagogical content knowledge (PCK) of the pre-service teachers in MalaysiaMaterials and methods:The main objective of this study was to investigate the level of teaching knowledge attained by the Malaysian pre-service primary and secondary teachers. Some 576 primary level pre-service teachers and 389 secondary level pre-service teachers participated in the TEDS-M study. The significance of this study is pertinent as the level of teachers' knowledge influences students' achievement in schoolsResults:Results of analysis show that Malaysian pre-service teachers at the primary and secondary performed below the international average for both mathematics content knowledge (MCK) and mathematics pedagogical content knowledge (MPCK).Conclusions:The article suggested several steps on how teacher educators could improve the PCK and MCK of pre-service teachers in Malaysia.