ERIC Number: EJ1119635
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2017-Jan
Pages: 24
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: EISSN-1305-8223
EISSN: N/A
Attitudes of Pre-Service Mathematics Teachers towards Modelling: A South African Inquiry
Jacobs, Gerrie J.; Durandt, Rina
EURASIA Journal of Mathematics, Science & Technology Education, v13 n1 p61-84 Jan 2017
This study explores the attitudes of mathematics pre-service teachers, based on their initial exposure to a model-eliciting challenge. The new Curriculum and Assessment Policy Statement determines that mathematics students should be able to identify, investigate and solve problems via modelling. The unpreparedness of mathematics teachers in teaching modelling is widely recognized. Modelling was thus included for the first time in the mathematics education curriculum of a South African university. Based on their modelling exposure, the participants revealed their attitudes via an Attitudes towards Mathematics Modelling Inventory. The Mann Whitney U-test detected significant differences between gender and achievement groups. Most participants displayed positive attitudes towards modelling, even after this brief exposure. The main implications of the study are that the modelling competencies of mathematics pre-service-teachers could be strengthened during their formal education by lecturers that adopt an appropriate modelling pedagogy that takes cognizance of their attitudes, while gradually building their confidence.
Descriptors: Mathematics Teachers, Preservice Teachers, Inquiry, Mathematics, Foreign Countries, Mathematics Education, Mathematics Instruction, Nonparametric Statistics, Statistical Analysis, Teacher Attitudes, Mathematical Models, Teacher Education, Mathematics Achievement, Teacher Education Programs, Problem Solving, Pedagogical Content Knowledge, Student Attitudes, Grade 10, Grade 11, Grade 12, Secondary School Mathematics
EURASIA. Gazi Egitim Fakultesi, K Blok 210, Teknikokullar, Ankara, 06500 Turkey. Tel: +90-312-202-8192; Fax: +90-312-222-8483; e-mail: editor.eurasiajournal@gmail.com; Web site: http://www.ejmste.com
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Higher Education; Postsecondary Education; Grade 10; Secondary Education; High Schools; Grade 11; Grade 12
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: South Africa (Johannesburg)
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A