About
For some years, I have been teaching a course in methods and theories of science for our master students. In addition, I have been teaching in master programmes in mathematics education and in early years teaching. In addition, I have been supervising master students.
Within research and development, I have worked a lot on history of mathematics and the inclusion of this in teaching mathematics. From 2016-19, I have also been evaluating the mathematics exam in Norwegian compulsory school together with FAFO and Aina Fossum. From 2019-2022, I take part in a Research Council-supported project on teachers’ transdisciplinary competence, led by Monica Johannesen. Other interests are the history of mathematics teaching (at the moment, in particular New Math and exams through the ages). I am co-author of the book Tall og tanke 2 and a related activity book.
I am part of the editorial board of Tangenten and have a position as Professor II at Volda University College.
Field of study
Textbook research Teacher education Mathematics education Prejudice Homosexuality History of Mathematics LGBTQ Primary and Secondary Teacher Education Mathematical competencies Teachers' Professional Qualification
Research groups
Research projects
Completed research projects
-
Teacher Qualification for the 21st century - teachers professional competence (TEQ21)
Future school and society are characterized by rapid changes and technological development, which in turn demand new competences such as creativity, communication, collaboration and critical thinking. In order to meet these challenges, teacher education programmes need to educate professional teachers who can educate pupils for the future.
Publications and research
Scientific publications
Briseid, Eyvind Martol
;
Forssell, Henrik
;
Smestad, Bjørn
(2025).
Triangle and parallelogram area formulas: a critique of teacher education textbooks in Norway.
NOMAD – Nordisk matematikkdidaktikk.
Vol. 30.
https://doi.org/10.7146/nomad.v30i2.162158
Xenofontos, Constantinos; Smestad, Bjørn (2025). Real people in mathematics textbooks of Cyprus and Norway. Skott, Charlotte Krog; Blomhøj, Morten; Eckert, Andreas; Elicer, Raimundo; Herheim, Rune; Kristinsdóttir, Bjarnheiður (Ed.). Interplay between research and teaching practice in mathematics education : Proceedings of NORMA24, The tenth Nordic Conference on Mathematics Education, Copenhagen, 2024. p. 417-424. Svensk förening för MatematikDidaktisk Forskning - SMDF.
Opsal, Hilde; Smestad, Bjørn (2025). How were parents in Norway informed about New Math?. Skott, Charlotte Krog; Blomhøj, Morten; Eckert, Andreas; Elicer, Raimundo; Herheim, Rune; Kristinsdóttir, Bjarnheiður (Ed.). Interplay between research and teaching practice in mathematics education : Proceedings of NORMA24, The tenth Nordic Conference on Mathematics Education, Copenhagen, 2024. p. 265-272. Svensk förening för MatematikDidaktisk Forskning - SMDF.
Bårdseth, Gro Anita; Fondevik, Birgitte; Høydal, Steinar; Lied, Silje Ims;
Smestad, Bjørn
; Tonheim, Odd Helge Mjellem
(2024).
Frå einsam sak til praksisfellesskap. Kollegasamarbeid knytt til førstelektorprogrammet.
Halvorsen, Lars Julius; Båtevik, Finn Ove; Folkestad, Bjarte; Løvoll, Helga Synnevåg; Stokken, Roar (Ed.).
Samarbeid : fjordantologien 2024. p. 148-164.
Universitetsforlaget.
https://doi.org/10.18261/9788215071800-24-08
Smestad, Bjørn
;
Hatlevik, Ove Edvard
;
Johannesen, Monica
;
Øgrim, Leikny
(2023).
Examining dimensions of teachers’ digital competence: A systematic review pre- and during COVID-19.
Heliyon.
Vol. 9.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e16677
Smestad, Bjørn (2023). Writing a book for teachers: an introduction to history of mathematics and its connection to education. Barbin, Evelyne; Capone, Roberto; Fried, Michael N.; Menghini, Marta; Pinto, Helder; Tortoriello, F. Saverio (Ed.). History and Epistemology in Mathematics Education - Proceedings of the 9th European Summer University. p. 216-227. University of Salerno - Department of Mathematics, Fisciano (SA).
Opsal, Hilde; Smestad, Bjørn (2023). Euclid must go! Norwegian compulsory school exams 1962-1979. Drijvers, Paul; Csapodi, Csaba; Palmer, Hanna; Gosztonyi, Katalin; Kónya, Eszter (Ed.). Proceedings of the thirteenth Congress of the European Society for Research in Mathematics Education (CERME13). p. 1969-1976. European Society for Research in Mathematics Education.
Bolstad, Oda Heidi; Smestad, Bjørn (2023). Diversity dimensions in Norwegian mathematics textbooks. Drijvers, Paul; Csapodi, Csaba; Palmer, Hanna; Gosztonyi, Katalin; Kónya, Eszter (Ed.). Proceedings of the thirteenth Congress of the European Society for Research in Mathematics Education (CERME13). p. 1724-1731. European Society for Research in Mathematics Education.
Opsal, Hilde;
Smestad, Bjørn
(2022).
Concepts introduced in Norwegian textbooks before,
during and after the New Math period.
Hodgen, Jeremy; Geraniou, Eirini; Bolondi, Giorgio; Feretti, Federica; Ferretti, Federica (Ed.).
Proceedings of the 12th Congress of the European Society for Research in Mathematics Education (CERME12). p. 1-9.
European Society for Research in Mathematics Education.
https://hal.archives-ouvertes.fr/hal-03748582/docu
Fossum, Aina;
Smestad, Bjørn
(2022).
Changes in grades on the Norwegian lower secondary school mathematics exam.
Nortvedt, Guri A.; Buchholtz, Nils; Fauskanger, Janne; Hähkiöniemi, Markus; Jessen, Britta Eyrich; Nilsen, Hans Kristian (Ed.).
Bringing Nordic mathematics education into the future. Proceedings of Norma 20, The ninth Nordic Conference on
Mathematics Education. p. 49-56.
Svensk förening för MatematikDidaktisk Forskning - SMDF.
http://matematikdidaktik.org/wp-content/uploads/16
