Developing mathematical literacy: A report of the potential use of Lesson Study within ITE

Mathematics is deemed an important subject and there is general consensus that all students should have access to quality mathematics education. Given the documented impact teachers on learning outcomes, it is essential that initial teacher education develop the relevant knowledge and aptitudes among pre-service teachers to facilitate them to teach mathematics effectively. This paper focuses on the potential role of Lesson Study within initial teacher education in meeting this goal. In particular we examine the various opportunities and benefits that are available to each of the ‘partners’ engaging in Lesson Study. Over a decade, we have explored the benefits using a three-tier teaching experiment approach (Lesh & Kelly, 2000). This facilitates insights into the effects of participation in lesson study from the perspectives of the teacher educator, the student teacher and the pupils.