Preservice Elementary Teachers' Epistemological Beliefs and Views About Mathematics

• In Event: Improving Elementary Math Teachers' Work

Abstract

This study examined preservice elementary teachers' (PETs') epistemological beliefs (EB) and their views about mathematics (VM) and the impact on these parameters by their prior experience in learning mathematics. A total of 541 PETs from an American university completed EB and VM questionnaires. It was found that PETs’ EB and the relationship to their VM are unique when compared to those of other college students or middle/high school students. Concerning their prior mathematics experience, the more mathematics courses they have taken during secondary education, the more developed EB and VM they have, but their prior experience in college mathematics education did not have any significant correlation with their EB and VM.

Authors

• Soon C Lee, Kennesaw State University

• JaeHwan Byun, Wichita State University

• Mara Alagic, Wichita State University

• Fuchang Liu, Wichita State University