Pre-service science teacher practice of mathematics in operational physics and chemistry problems

Abstract

The aims of this research are: to define Mathematics usage inclinations of pre-service science teachers in operational physics and chemistry problems and to evaluate them in terms of various socio-demographic varieties. The development study of Mathematics usage scale in Operational Physics and Chemistry Problems (MUSOPCP) constitutes the first stage of the research. For the second stage of the research, the scale which is developed by the researchers has been applied to 173 pre-services science teacher. SPSS 16.00 is used to analyze the data. The results give us the conclusion that the pre-services are conscious of Conceptual knowledge and Mathematics Knowledge Relation in Operational Physics and Chemistry but they have higher Mathematics anxiety than expected while solving operational Physics and Chemistry problems. (C) 2011 Published by Elsevier Ltd. Selection and/or peer-review under responsibility of Prof. Huseyin Uzunboylu.