Microaggressions in the context of teaching and learning of mathematics

a theoretical-conceptual analysis

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.23925/1983-3156.2023v25ip283-304

Keywords:

Microaggressions, Teacher Training, Aversion to Mathematics, Mathematics Education

Abstract

In this work, we conceptualize microaggressions related to mathematics teaching and learning. We seek to elucidate its notion and highlight some manifestations in mathematics education. We highlight recent studies that we have also been conducting, indicating a critical relationship between the experiences of pre-service teachers and in-service teachers who teach mathematics with this phenomenon and the lack of mastery of mathematical content development during classes, which is also related to aversive reactions towards mathematics, which often favors the manifestation of episodes of mathematics anxiety or procrastination. We argue that microaggressions related to mathematics teaching and learning have similar characteristics to racial microaggressions. However, questions about teaching and learning focus specifically on classroom contexts, the established relationships between teacher, student, and knowledge. Those who present difficulties with mathematics, in academic and school environments, often end up being labeled as incapable of learning and go through uncomfortable situations throughout their lives. Because of this, mathematics has an important social prestige. This prestige favors the development of a very intimate relationship between mathematics and power, which is reflected in the school context. Educational considerations are discussed about the impacts of microaggressions on teacher education in relationships with established students under various aspects.

Metrics

Metrics Loading ...

Author Biographies

Guilherme Henrique Gomes da Silva, Universidade Federal de Alfenas

Doutorando em Educação Matemática - UNESP de Rio Claro-SP

Mestre em Educação Matemática - UNESP de Rio Claro-SP

Docente da Universidade Federal de Alfenas, no Instituto de Ciências Exatas

Sintria Labres Lautert, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco

Doutora em Psicologia Cognitiva

João dos Santos Carmo, Universidade Federal de São Carlos

Doutor em Educação

Ernani Martins dos Santos, Universidade de Pernambuco

Doutor em Psicologia Cognitiva

Diogo Emmanuel Lucena dos Santos, Centro Universitário Maurício de Nassau

Mestre em Psicologia Cognitiv

References

Almeida, S. (2019). Racismo estrutural. Editora Pólen Livros.

Bekdemir, M. (2010). The pre-service teachers’ mathematics anxiety related to depth of negative experiences in mathematics classroom while they were students. Educational Studies in Mathematics, 75(3), 311-328. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10649-010-9260-7

Berk, R. A. (2017a). Microaggressions Trilogy: Part 1. Why Do Microaggressions Matter? Journal of Faculty Development, 31(1), 63-73.

Berk, R. A. (2017b). Microaggressions Trilogy: Part 3. Microaggressions in the Classroom. Journal of Faculty Development, 31(3), 95-110.

Burt, B. A., McKen, A., Burkhart, J., Hormell, J., & Knight, A. (2019). Black Men in Engineering Graduate Education: Experiencing Racial Microaggressions within the Advisor–Advisee Relationship. Journal of Negro Education, 88(4), 493-508.

França, A. L. B. C., & Dorneles, B. (2021). Ansiedade Matemática em Professores brasileiros: retratos iniciais da literatura. Educação Matemática em Revista, 26(73), 132-150.

Julio, R. S., & Silva, G. H. G. d. (2018). Compreendendo a formação matemática de futuros pedagogos por meio de narrativas. Boletim de Educação Matemática (BOLEMA), 32(62).

Kaskens, J., Segers, E., Goei, S. L., van Luit, J. E. H., & Verhoeven, L. (2020). Impact of Children’s math self-concept, math self-efficacy, math anxiety, and teacher competencies on math development. Teaching and Teacher Education, 94, 103096. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tate.2020.103096

Lee, M. J., Collins, J. D., Harwood, S. A., Mendenhall, R., & Huntt, M. B. (2020). “If you aren’t White, Asian or Indian, you aren’t an engineer”: racial microaggressions in STEM education. International Journal of STEM Education, 7(1), 48. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40594-020-00241-4

Levchak, C. C. (2018). Microaggressions and Modern Racism: Endurance and Evolution. Palgrave Macmillan.

McKenna, H. J., Chang, K.-L., & Mgonja, T. (2021). A framework to measure microaggressions in the mathematics classroom. SN Social Sciences, 1(5), 122. https://doi.org/10.1007/s43545-021-00121-w

Miles, M. L., Brockman, A. J., & Naphan-Kingery, D. E. (2020). Invalidated identities: The disconfirming effects of racial microaggressions on Black doctoral students in STEM. Journal of Research in Science Teaching, 57(10), 1608-1631. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1002/tea.21646

Minikel-Lacocque, J. (2013). Racism, College, and the Power of Words: Racial Microaggressions Reconsidered. American Educational Research Journal, 50(3), 432-465.

Paixão, R. B., Melo, D. R. A. d., Souza-Silva, J. C. d., & Néris, J. S. (2014). O constructo assédio moral na relação aluno-professor na perspectiva de professores universitários. Gestão de Pessoas em Organizações, 21(3), 415-432.

Pérez Huber, L., & Solórzano, D. G. (2015). Racial microaggressions as a tool for critical race research. Race Ethnicity and Education, 18(3), 297-320.

Pierce, C. (1970). Offensive mechanisms. In F. B. Barbour (Ed.), The Black seventies (pp. 265-282). Porter Sargent.

Rocha, J. T. F. d., & Hazin, I. (2007). Dez mitos acerca do ensino e da aprendizagem de matemática. Pesquisas e práticas em educação matemática, 1(1), 27-48.

Santos, D. E. L. d. (2021). Relações entre vivências negativas, ansiedade matemática e procrastinação em estudantes de pedagogia Universidade Federal de Pernambuco. Recife.

Santos, J. C. d., Lautert, S. L., Silva, G. H. G. d., Santos, D. E. L. d., Henklain, M. H. O., & Santos, E. O. (no prelo). Ansiedade, microagressões e procrastinação como manifestação de aversão à matemática. In E. Lautenchlager & J. C. d. Santos (Eds.), Neurociência, cognição e aprendizagem matemática: contribuições à prática docente. Editora da UFRN.

Silva, G. H. G. d. (2016). Equidade no acesso e permanência no ensino superior: o papel da educação matemática frente às políticas de ações afirmativas para grupos sub-representados Universidade Estadual Paulista]. Rio Claro, Brasil.

Silva, G. H. G. d., & Powell, A. B. (2016). Microagressões no ensino superior nas vias da Educação Matemática. Revista Latinoamericana de Etnomatemática: Perspectivas Socioculturales de la Educación Matemática, 9(3), 44-76.

Silva, G. H. G. d., & Skovsmose, O. (2019). Affirmative actions in terms of special rights: Confronting structural violence in Brazilian higher education. Power and Education, 11(2), 204-220. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1177/1757743819837682

Silva, S. M. d., & Silva, G. H. G. d. (2021). A formação matemática de futuros pedagogos e pedagogas de um curso a distância. Cadernos de Pesquisa, 51, 1-20.

Solórzano, D. G. (1998). Critical race theory, race and gender microaggressions, and the experience of Chicana and Chicano scholars. International Journal of Qualitative Studies in Education (QSE), 11(1), 121-136.

Solórzano, D. G., Ceja, M., & Yosso, T. J. (2000). Critical race theory, racial microaggressions, and campus racial climate: The experiences of African American college students. Journal of Negro Education, 69(1-2), 60-73.

Stinson, D. W. (2004). Mathematics as “gate-keeper” (?): Three theoretical perspectives that aim toward empowering all children with a key to the gate. The Mathematics Educator,, 14(1), 8-18.

Su, F. E. (2015). Mathematical Microaggressions. MAA Focus, (October/November), 36-37.

Suárez-Orozco, C., Casanova, S., Martin, M., Katsiaficas, D., Cuellar, V., Smith, N. A., & Dias, S. I. (2015). Toxic Rain in Class:Classroom Interpersonal Microaggressions. Educational Researcher, 44(3), 151-160. https://doi.org/10.3102/0013189x15580314

Sue, D. W., Capodilupo, C. M., Torino, G. C., Bucceri, J. M., Holder, A. M., Nadal, K. L., & Esquilin, M. (2007). Racial microaggressions in everyday life: implications for clinical practice. Am Psychol, 62(4), 271-286.

Sue, D. W., Lin, A. I., Torino, G. C., Capodilupo, C. M., & Rivera, D. P. (2009). Racial Microaggressions and Difficult Dialogues on Race in the Classroom. Cultur Divers Ethnic Minor Psychol, 15(2), 183-190. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0014191

Yang, Y., & Carroll, D. W. (2018). Gendered Microaggressions in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics. Leadership and Research in Education(4 (special issue)), 28-45.

Yosso, T. J., Smith, W. A., Ceja, M., & Solorzano, D. G. (2009). Critical Race Theory, Racial Microaggressions, and Campus Racial Climate for Latina/o Undergraduates. Harvard Educational Review, 79(4), 659-690.

Published

2023-04-29

How to Cite

SILVA, G. H. G. da; LAUTERT, S. L. .; CARMO, J. dos S.; SANTOS, E. M. dos; SANTOS, D. E. L. dos. Microaggressions in the context of teaching and learning of mathematics: a theoretical-conceptual analysis . Educação Matemática Pesquisa, São Paulo, v. 25, n. 1, p. 283–304, 2023. DOI: 10.23925/1983-3156.2023v25ip283-304. Disponível em: https://revistas.pucsp.br/index.php/emp/article/view/58955. Acesso em: 19 dec. 2024.