Models of Mathematics Teaching Practice in Singapore Secondary Schools

A model of instruction is a set of strategies that guide teachers in their instructional practice. The purpose of this paper is to dispel the myth that mathematics teaching in Singapore schools is all about drill and practice, as perceived of many Asian systems. This paper draws on data of a large project that examined the enactment of school mathematics curriculum in Singapore secondary schools. Based on the teaching practices of 30 experienced and competent teachers, a survey was constructed and administered to 677 teachers. The data from the survey showed that teachers go well beyond traditional forms of instruction in their teaching practices in Singapore secondary schools. [This paper is the first in a symposium of four papers. For the second paper, "An Experienced and Competent Teacher's Instructional Practice for Normal Technical Students: A Case Study," see ED616178. For the third paper, "Imbuement of Desired Attitudes by Experienced and Competent Singapore Secondary Mathematics Teachers," see ED616187. For the fourth paper, "Singapore Mathematics Teachers' Design of Instructional Materials," see ED616188.]