Engaging with Mathematical Modeling to Understand the Wider World: A Case Study of Primary Teachers' Encounter with Research and Implementing New Learning to the Classroom

Mathematical modeling is a pedagogical practice that is being introduced in the draft Primary Mathematics Curriculum (NCCA, 2022). This research explores teachers' understanding of mathematical modeling as a practice that emphasises complex problem solving to understand the wider world. Five primary teachers engaged with key research articles (Doerr & English 2001; English & Watters 2004; English & Watters, 2005) over three action research cycles and implement the learning in their context. Findings suggest that reflection on pedagogical content knowledge is a lens for teacher change of current practice.