Teacher Agency and Professionalism in the Context of Online Mathematics Instructional Platforms

Current trends in mathematics education emphasise student-centred learning; and internet-based pedagogies, such as online mathematics instructional platforms, go even further in reducing the role of the classroom teacher. In this paper I consider how teachers may exercise agency and professionalism in the context of online mathematics instruction. Whilst there is some evidence for the reduction of the teacher role, there is also considerable space for teachers to enact professional identities as teachers of mathematics. However, I suggest that care needs to be taken to ensure that there is a balance to the overall mathematics programme, including opportunity for teachers to make their own decisions and assessments regarding students' learning.