A Case Study on Mathematical Problem Posing in Pre-service Mathematics Teacher Education

Abstract

In this study, the researcher developed a course integrated mathematical problem posing activities in order to enhance pre-service mathematics teachers’ ability to carry out problem posing activities in mathematics classroom, and examined the changes of pre-service mathematics teachers’ perceptions about problem posing through the course. The problem posing course developed in this study consisted of three stages: education on the theories regarding problem posing; activities with problem posing; development and implementation of problem posing tasks. According to the results of the questionnaires, interviews, and class journals data analysis, the problem posing experiences provided in this study were very effective in improving pre-service mathematics teachers’ understanding of the problem posing strategies and the benefit of problem posing activities to student learning. Particularly, the experience in various problem posing activities and the implementation experience of problem posing provided in the course played a key role in the improvement of pre-service mathematics teachers’ understanding of problem posing and PCK.