Beliefs about Using Technology in
the Mathematics Classroom:
Interviews with Pre-service
Elementary Teachers
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Southern Illinois University Carbondale, IL, USA
Publication date: 2008-04-22
EURASIA J. Math., Sci Tech. Ed 2008;4(2):135-142
KEYWORDS
ABSTRACT
This study explored the efficacy of web-based workshops in topics in elementary school
mathematics in fostering teachers’ confidence and competence in using instructional
technology, and thereby promoting more positive attitudes toward using computers and
Internet resources in the mathematics classroom. It consisted of in-depth interviews of
selected workshop participants in order to provide information on whether the goals of
the workshops were realized, and if so, in what ways these goals were accomplished. The
interviews showed that most of the students in the experimental group felt comfortable
using web-based resources in teaching elementary school mathematics. It was also found
through the interviews that all students agreed that the workshops helped them become
more confident in using computers to teach mathematics. The findings of this study
provide further compelling evidence to support the recommendations of many national
reports, such as the NCTM Professional Standards for School Mathematics (2000), to
substantially increase the role of instructional technology in the contemporary
mathematics classroom.