A study on preservice elementary mathematics teachers' mathematical problem solving beliefs

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2007

Author

Kayan, Fatma

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This study analyzes the kinds of beliefs pre-service elementary mathematics teachers hold about mathematical problem solving, and investigates whether, or not, gender and university attended have any significant effect on their problem solving beliefs. The sample of the present study consisted of 244 senior undergraduate students studying in Elementary Mathematics Teacher Education programs at 5 different universities located in Ankara, Bolu, and Samsun. Data were collected in spring semester of 2005-2006 academic years. Participants completed a survey composed of three parts as demographic information sheet, questionnaire items, and non-routine mathematics problems. The results of the study showed that in general the pre-service elementary mathematics teachers indicated positive beliefs about mathematical problem solving. However, they still had several traditional beliefs related to the importance of computational skills in mathematics education, and following predetermined sequence of steps while solving problems. Moreover, a number of pre-service teachers appeared to highly value problems that are directly related to the mathematics curriculum, and do not require spending too much time. Also, it was found that although the pre-service teachers theoretically appreciated the importance and role of the technology while solving problems, this belief was not apparent in their comments about non-routine problems. In addition to these, the present study indicated that female and male pre-service teachers did not differ in terms of their beliefs about mathematical problem solving. However, the pre-service teachers’ beliefs showed significant difference when the universities attended was concerned.

Subject Keywords

Elementary or Public School Education.

URI

http://etd.lib.metu.edu.tr/upload/12608104/index.pdf
https://hdl.handle.net/11511/16653

Collections

Graduate School of Natural and Applied Sciences, Thesis

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Citation Formats

F. Kayan, “A study on preservice elementary mathematics teachers’ mathematical problem solving beliefs,” M.S. - Master of Science, Middle East Technical University, 2007.