DidMat Seminars with Mgr. Eliška Beránková

Title

Mattecoach: Learning Mathematics, Learning to Teach

Speaker

Mgr. Eliška Beránková, Ph.D. student, Univerzita Palackého v Olomouci

Abstract

Mattecoach is an online platform that provides school students with free and anonymous mathematics support while offering prospective mathematics teachers an opportunity to develop their teaching skills through authentic one-to-one interactions. Originating in Sweden, the project was introduced at Palacký University Olomouc in 2024 and has since become part of teacher education and educational research. Its implementation in different national contexts has also led to an ongoing research collaboration involving partners from the Czech Republic, Sweden, and Scotland.

The seminar will introduce the main principles of Mattecoach and describe how the project has been implemented in the Czech context. Particular attention will be paid to the preparation of prospective teachers for online coaching, the pedagogical challenges of communicating mathematics through written dialogue, and the role of reflection and peer support in their professional development.

Five prospective teachers currently working as Mattecoach coaches will share their experiences and discuss selected anonymised examples from coaching conversations. The examples will illustrate different approaches to supporting pupils’ mathematical thinking, responding to misconceptions, asking productive questions, and creating a supportive online learning environment.

Attend online via Zoom: https://ucph-ku.zoom.us/j/64826837955