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The effect of the 4MAT method (learning styles and brain hemispheres) of instruction on achievement in mathematics

The purpose of this study was to determine the efficiency of 4MAT method of instruction in which learning style and cerebral hemispheres are taken into account in teaching the binary operation and its properties in mathematics. The sample of this study comprised 58 ninth grade students in two separate classes in a high school. One of the classes was selected as the experimental group in which 4MAT method of instruction was used; and the other class was selected as the control group in which the traditional teaching was given, and this selection was performed randomly. The data have been obtained primarily from three scales, namely ‘mathematical knowledge test’, ‘mathematical attitude scale’ and ‘knowledge test on binary operation and its properties’. It has been determined that 4MAT method of instruction was more efficient than the traditional method in teaching of the binary operation subject in mathematics.

The teaching of polar coordinates with dynamic mathematics software

The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of dynamic mathematics software on the achievement of pre-service mathematics teachers in the topic of polar coordinates and to solicit their opinions about computer-assisted instruction. The study was conducted for 11 weeks with 33 pre-service teachers in the Department of Mathematics Education Program of a state university in Turkey. Data collection tools comprised a knowledge test of polar coordinates and administration of a semi-structured interview form developed by the researchers who conducted the study using an embedded design as part of a mixed-method research. The results of data analysis showed that the computer-assisted instruction method in which dynamic mathematics software was used positively contributed to the success of pre-service teachers in understanding the subject of polar coordinates. Furthermore, it was found that pre-service teachers supported the use of this method in lessons as it provides visualization, increases retention, concretization of abstract mathematical structures, better understanding and learning, and creates an interesting and interactive learning environment.

Conceptual Understanding of Definite Integral with GeoGebra

ABSTRACT This study aimed to determine the effect of a computer-assisted instruction method using GeoGebra on achievement of prospective secondary mathematics teachers in the definite integral topic and to determine their opinions about this method. The study group consisted of 35 prospective secondary mathematics teachers studying in the mathematics education program at a state university in Turkey. The study was carried out using an embedded design, and the Definite Integral Knowledge Test and an opinion form were used for data collection. Upon analyzing the data, the computer-assisted instruction method using GeoGebra was found to positively contribute to the success of teaching the definite integral topic. Prospective teachers stated that this method should be used in math courses as it creates a fun and interesting environment with dynamic learning elements, provides visualization and opportunities to learn mathematics through practice and exercises, enables thorough understanding and explication of skills, and makes way for conceptual learning instead of memorizing. Furthermore, this study was found to facilitate conceptual learning of the relationship between the lower sum, upper sum and Riemann sum.

Dinamik Bir Yazılımın Çemberin Analitik İncelenmesinde Başarıya Etkisi ve Matematik Öğretmeni Adaylarının Görüşleri

The aim of the study was to examine the effects of geometry instruction, which was performed with a dynamic software, on the success of prospective elementary mathematics teachers in the analytical analysis of the circle, and to reveal their opinions in this performed geometry instruction. The embedded research design, which is among the mixed research approaches, was used in the study. The research applied 29 prospective elementary mathematics teachers and the data obtained from circle success test and semi-structured focus group interview form. In view of the analysis of the data, it was observed that the instruction, which was performed with a dynamic software, provided a positive contribution to the success of prospective teachers in the subject of the analytical analysis of the circle. Moreover, it was observed that the prospective teachers expressed that geometry instruction in a dynamic environment enabled them to understand point of power and the points on the circle, and it had positive effects on developing thinking skills, visuality, retention, learning in a short time, concretization and focusing the attention of the students with dynamism. In contrast, it was determined that the use of technology was low in mathematics and geometry courses in the secondary education institutions, and prospective teachers wanted to perform geometry instruction in dynamic environments in their teaching profession.

Using dynamic software in mathematics: the case of reflection symmetry

This study was carried out to examine the effects of computer-assisted instruction (CAI) using dynamic software on the achievement of students in mathematics in the topic of reflection symmetry. The study also aimed to ascertain the pre-service mathematics teachers’ opinions on the use of CAI in mathematics lessons. In the study, a mixed research method was used. The study group of this research consists of 30 pre-service mathematics teachers. The data collection tools used include a reflection knowledge test, a survey and observations. Based on the analysis of the data obtained from the study, the use of CAI had a positive effect on achievement in the topic of reflection symmetry of the pre-service mathematics teachers. The pre-service mathematics teachers were found to largely consider that a mathematics education which is carried out utilizing CAI will be more beneficial in terms of ‘visualization’, ‘saving of time’ and ‘increasing interest/attention in the lesson’. In addition, it was found that the vast majority of them considered using computers in their teaching on the condition that the learning environment in which they would be operating has the appropriate technological equipment.

Dinamik Bir Matematik Yazılımının Öğretmen Adaylarının Etkileşimli Tahta ile İlgili Görüşlerine Etkisi

Bu arastirmada, dinamik matematik yazilimi ve etkilesimli tahtanin sinif ortaminda entegrasyonu saglanarak, bu entegrasyonun ogretmen adaylarinin etkilesimli tahta teknolojisi ile ilgili goruslerine etkisinin incelenmesi amaclanmistir. Nitel arastirma yontemlerinden biri olan durum calismasi kullanilarak gerceklestirilen arastirmada, arastirmaya katilan 14 matematik ogretmeni adayinin her birinin dinamik matematik yazilimi kullanarak etkilesimli tahta uzerinde uygulamalar yapmasi saglanmistir. Arastirmanin verileri, arastirmaya katilan bu ogretmen adaylarina calismanin basinda ve sonunda farkli gorus formlarinin uygulanmasi sonucunda elde edilmistir. Verilerin analizi sonucunda; ogretmen adaylarinin on goruslerinin, etkilesimli tahtalarin matematikte soru cozumu ve geometrik sekillerin gosteriminde kullanilabilecegi seklinde, son goruslerinin ise dinamik matematik yazilimi ve etkilesimli tahtanin entegrasyonu ile kavramlarin anlasilmasinin ve grafiklerin gosteriminin kolaylasacagi, somutlastirma ve akilda kaliciligi saglayacagi seklinde oldugu belirlenmistir.