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Cited by 55Mathematics Education and Teaching TechniquesEvaluation of Teaching PracticesEducational Theory and Curriculum Studies

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Pedagogical content knowledge (PCK) in higher education: A systematic scoping review

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Sarkar, Mahbub, Gutierrez-Bucheli, Laura, Yip, Sun Yee, Lazarus, Michelle, Wright, Caroline, White, Paul J., Ilic, Dragan, Hiscox, Thomas J., Berry, Amanda·2024·Teaching and Teacher Education
DOI 10.1016/j.tate.2024.104608
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Abstract

This systematic scoping review explores how Pedagogical Content Knowledge (PCK) is conceptualised and investigated in peer-reviewed empirical studies within higher education. Our results indicate that PCK research in higher education is disparate and varies across countries, disciplines, and focus areas. Although most articles specified the theoretical frameworks in their PCK conceptualisations, significant variations exist regarding included PCK components and interpretations, making comparisons across studies challenging. While most PCK frameworks originated in science disciplines within school education, this review suggests that their general theoretical contributions to PCK have led to their widespread adoption across various disciplines in higher education.

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  • PCK foregrounds the specialised pedagogical and content knowledge required for effective science teaching but offers limited insight into the relational and institutional conditions that enable or constrain the development of this knowledge.

    “While PCK foregrounds the specialised pedagogical and content knowledge required for effective science teaching, 55 it offers limited insight into the relational and institutional conditions that enable or constrain the development of this knowledge.”

    From Teaching Science anew in the Foundation Phase: Reimagining pre-service teacher learning for Inclusive Early Pedagogy (2026) · cites this paper as [55]

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Authors
Sarkar, M., Gutierrez-Bucheli, L., Yip, S. Y., Lazarus, M., Wright, C., White, P. J., Ilic, D., Hiscox, T. J., & Berry, A.
Affiliations
  • Monash University (AU)
  • RMIT University (AU)
Corresponding author
Sarkar, Mahbub
ORCID
Venue
Teaching and Teacher Education
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Published
2024-07
Volume
144
Pages
104608
ISSN
0742-051X (ISSN-L)
DOI
10.1016/j.tate.2024.104608
OpenAlex
W4395113253
Cited by
55
References
2
Citations by year
2026: 21 · 2025: 28 · 2024: 6
FWCI
68.95
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
Locations
Teaching and Teacher Education (publishedVersion, cc-by)
Funders
Monash University
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Education › Mathematics Education and Teaching Techniques
  • Social Sciences › Education › Evaluation of Teaching Practices
  • Social Sciences › Sociology and Political Science › Educational Theory and Curriculum Studies
Keywords
pedagogical content knowledge, university teaching, theoretical framework, disciplinary variation, science education, teacher knowledge

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