Investigating Mathematical Modeling Problem Designing Process of Inservice Mathematics Teachers

Abstract

In this study, the mathematical modeling process of in-service middle school mathematics teachers who participated in a mathematical modeling workshop within the scope of a professional development program were examined. This study is a multi-case study with the participation of six teachers (two women; four men) and investigates how teachers handled the theoretical knowledge gained during the mathematical modeling workshop in the problem designing process. The data consists of problems designed by teachers and individual interviews. The findings show that teachers were generally successful in transferring their theoretical knowledge to the problem designing process, but had some difficulties. Besides, it can be said that they overcame these difficulties in the process and obtained the problem designing competence that is suitable for the mathematical modeling criteria. The results show that implementation has an important role in the development of a modeling point of view just like theory and that the balance of theory and application should be established in modeling education.