Prospective High School Mathematics Teachers’ Attitudes toward Integrating Computers in Their Future Teaching

Abstract

This article presents the findings of a study on the attitudes of prospective high school mathematics teachers toward integrating computers into their future classroom teaching. Ninety-four prospective teachers in four classes that focused on didactic and cognitive aspects of learning mathematics with computers were asked to present pro and con arguments that would influence their use of computers in their future mathematics teaching. A two-dimensional framework is used to present an analysis of the prospective teachers’ arguments, which were collected through written questionnaires and class discussions. One dimension relates to the class components of a lesson: learner, teacher, mathematical content, learning environment, and class atmosphere. The second dimension is made up of the psychological aspects: cognitive, affective, and social.

Keywords:

• computers
• learning and teaching mathematics
• prospective teachers’ attitudes