Peer reviewedERIC Number: EJ701620
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2004-Feb-1
Pages: 14
Abstractor: ERIC
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0036-6803
EISSN: N/A
Available Date: N/A
Assessing Prospective Elementary School Teachers' Beliefs about Mathematics and Mathematics Learning: Rationale and Development of a Constructed-Response-Format Beliefs Survey
Ambrose, Rebecca; Clement, Lisa; Philipp, Randolph; Chauvot, Jennifer
School Science and Mathematics, v104 n2 p56 Feb 2004
Because of the role beliefs play in the teaching and learning of mathematics, mathematics educators need to consider ways to assess beliefs and belief change. Beliefs, because they must be inferred, can be difficult to measure, particularly with a common metric that enables a comparison of individuals. Because of the limitations of Likert scales, a computer-based survey was developed to assess beliefs. In this survey, prospective teachers interpret scenarios in a free-response format. The survey, used with more than 150 participants, captures qualitative data that are later quantified for purposes of comparison. A systematic method for creating research rubrics was developed in an effort to quantify the qualitative data. Results from a pre/post administration of the survey demonstrated that it is an effective tool for assessing belief change. In this article the theory behind the development of the survey is discussed, as well as some specific information about the survey and the way responses are coded and a description of the process used for developing rubrics. Recommendations are included for researchers interested in developing similar surveys.
Descriptors: Elementary School Teachers, Beliefs, Mathematics Education, Student Attitudes, Preservice Teachers, Mathematics Teachers, Surveys, Computers, Attitude Change
School Science & Mathematics Association, The Ohio State University, 238 Arps Hall, 1945 North High Street, Columbus, OH 43210-1172. Web site: http://www.ssma.org.
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Evaluative
Education Level: Elementary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A
Author Affiliations: N/A


