An Analysis of Prospective Math Teachers' Thoughts about Mathematical Proof by Learning
Styles
Journal Name:
- Amasya Üniversitesi Eğitim Fakültesi Dergisi
Keywords (Original Language):
| Author Name | University of Author |
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Abstract (2. Language):
Problem Statement: Individual differences have to be taken into consideration to provide quality teaching. Learning processes differs according to individual differences. Learning style is typically defined as: "characteristic strengths and preferences of individuals in the process of acquiring, maintaining and processing knowledge". Proof is: sufficient evidence or argument for the truth or falsity of a statement, proposition or a result. Mathematical proof is: the act of proving the truth or falsity of an argued mathematical statement. Students' thoughts about proof are among the most significant factors influencing their proof process. For this reason, thoughts about proofs are considered an important part of proof processes in related studies. From this point of view, learning styles of students can play a major role in understanding proofs.
Purpose of the Study: Results of the study are important in terms of providing information about whether learning styles of prospective math teachers have any influence on their thoughts about proofs and mathematical proofs. It is believed that this study will contribute to the identification of learning methods for more effective proof teaching.
Method(s): This is a case study aiming to find out what prospective math teachers think about mathematical proofs according to learning styles. In the study, a quantitative method was followed to define the learning styles of prospective teachers, and a qualitative method was adopted to find their thoughts about proofs. A study was carried out on 30 prospective teachers to find out their learning styles, and 8 prospective teachers with different learning styles (2 for each learning style) were studied for the qualitative part of the study. The prospective teachers were seniors in the department of Elementary Mathematics Teaching. Learning style scale and interview forms were applied to the study group. The "Learning Style Scale" was developed by Kolb (2005) was used to find out the learning styles of prospective teachers. Semi-structured Mathematical Proof Interview Form developed by the researchers was used to find out what prospective teachers think about mathematical proofs. Interviews were recorded with a tape recorder. Content analysis method was used to analyze data obtained from the prospective teachers.
Conclusions and Discussions: According to the study findings, prospective teachers with different learning styles also have different thoughts about proofs. Prospective teachers' thoughts about the definition of proofs show that explanation and affirmation are the leading categories. Prospective math teachers with different learning styles also differ in terms of their thoughts about mathematical proofs. It is an important finding that prospective teachers with different learning styles consider problem solving as an application. Participant prospective teachers expressed their opinions about learning styles. Participant prospective teachers interpreted learning style in different ways. This means that prospective teachers with different learning styles also differ in terms of their thoughts about learning styles.
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Abstract (Original Language):
Bu çalışmada, matematik öğretmen adaylarının öğrenme stillerine göre matematiksel ispat yapmaya yönelik görüşlerindeki farklılıklar incelenmiştir. Çalışmada farklı öğrenme stiline sahip öğretmen adaylarının ispat yapmaya yönelik görüşlerinin belirlenmesinde nitel araştırma yaklaşımından yararlanılmıştır. Çalışma araştırmacılar tarafından belirlenen bir üniversitenin ilköğretim matematik öğretmenliği bölümünün dördüncü sınıfında öğrenim görmekte olan sekiz öğretmen adayı ile gerçekleştirilmiştir. Araştırma kapsamında, çalışma grubuna öğretmen adaylarının öğrenme stillerini belirlemek amacıyla Kolb (2005) tarafından geliştirilen "Öğrenme Stili Ölçeği" uygulanmıştır. Ayrıca öğretmen adaylarının matematiksel ispat hakkındaki görüşlerini ortaya koyma amacıyla yarı yapılandırılmış Matematiksel İspata Yönelik Görüşme Formu (MİYGF) uygulanmıştır. Ulaşılan araştırma bulgularına göre, çalışmaya katılan öğretmen adaylarının sahip olduğu öğrenme stiline göre matematiksel ispat yapmaya yönelik farklı görüşlerinin bulunduğu anlaşılmıştır.
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