Özet:

The aim of this study is to analyse the contributions of a project in the professional development based on the views of the pre-service teachers. The project goal is to improve the competency of the pre-service pre-school and classroom teachers in regard to the mathematical thinking among children. The study is designed as a case study, one of the qualitative research designs. The participant group was determined based on the criterion and maximum variation sampling methods, which are part of the purposive sampling methods. The participants are 24 pre-service pre-school and classroom teachers attending 20 different universities. The data were collected from the reflective diaries kept by the pre-service teachers. The data obtained were analyzed using the content analysis method. As a result of the study, it is found that the pre-service teachers gained knowledge about the development of mathematical thinking among children through the mathematics education based on learning trajectories. In addition, the participants gained an ability to develop a series of appropriate teaching activities through which children can improve their learning and developed positive attitudes-beliefs towards learning and teaching mathematics. It is concluded that the project provided pre-service teachers with knowledge and skills to support the development of mathematical thinking among children, and also improved their perspectives on mathematics in a positive way. Based on these results, some suggestions are made to improve the math education courses at the preschool and classroom levels, as well as in the undergraduate and graduate programs, in terms of the math education components.

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