Examination of teacher candidates' achievement levels and views towards the routine and real life problems

Abstract

The aim of this study is to examine teacher candidates' success in solving the routine problems and real life problems, and also to state their opinion concerning to this subject. It is a research which is designed in accordance with the mixed research method in which quantitative and qualitative research techniques are used together. The research handles 106 third grade teacher candidates who continue their education at Primary Education Department. While collecting the data, a ten item Problem Test and semi structured interview form were used. Research results reveal that although teacher candidates are quite successful in the stage of solving the routine problems, they are not successful enough to solve real life problems. Moreover, the findings acquired in the second sub-problem put forth clearly that the real life problems develop the interpretation technique of teacher candidates, lead them to think, facilitate their learning and are important elements for the period binding daily life to mathematics. At the third last sub-problem, it was asked the teacher candidates for their opinions concerning to place of real life problems in their occupational life. The teacher candidates stated that they may use such problems in their lessons constantly because most of them are enjoyable, related to daily life, develop high-level thinking skills.