Investigation of Pre-Service Science Teachers' Graphical and Algebraic Understanding of the Concept of the Limit

Abstract

The limit, at the center of almost all subjects of analysis and general mathematics, is also covered in science teaching program. Even though the limit is more important for mathematics to be fully acquired in the mind, it has undeniable importance in different fields of science such as physics, chemistry, and biology. The fact that the concept of limit is mostly taught through graphs and algebraic operations in the general mathematics course instructed in the science teaching program renders it significant to examine pre-service teachers' graphical and algebraic understanding levels. Accordingly, the aim of this study is to examine pre-service science teachers' graphical and algebraic understanding levels concerning the concept of limit. The participants of the study are pre-service teachers in the first year of a science teaching program. Data were collected through an open-ended exam. The data were analyzed by graphical and algebraic understanding categorical scoring charts and are presented based on frequencies and percentages for indicators of each understanding level. The study found the pre-service teachers' graphical understanding of the concept of limit to be higher than their algebraic understanding. We think that the results obtained in this study will give faculty members an idea about teaching practices related to the concept of limit.