On Tuesday, July 8, 2025, a research seminar was held by Halima Sharkia, a PhD student under the supervision of Prof. Zahavit Kohen, titled:
“Thinking like a mathematician: investigating teachers’ mathematical habits of mind in a hybrid learning environment.”
During the seminar, Sharkia presented findings from her research examining the impact of hybrid teaching that combines an online MOOC course titled “Simply Mathematics”, taught by Dr. Aviv Censor from the Faculty of Mathematics at the Technion, with in-class mathematics instruction. The research found that the combination of the online course and classroom teaching successfully exposes students to mathematical habits of mind, both through the online component featuring Dr. Censor as a mathematician and through the classroom component led by mathematics teachers. Notable habits included the use of Applying Mathematical Reasoning, Creating and Using Alternative Representations, and Using Accurate Mathematical Language. Additional findings indicated a connection between the teachers’ ability to apply these habits themselves as problem solvers and the way they integrate them into their teaching.
