Maltese teachers' attitudes towards mathematics education : a comparative study

Abstract

This study investigates the attitudes and objectives of Junior Lyceum and Area Secondary mathematics teachers, studies these teachers' views about the nature of mathematics and their teaching practices. Moreover, this study discusses with the mentioned teachers the issue of calculators and computers in mathematics education. Discussions and feedback regarding the initial teacher training and inservice courses are not neglected. In order to investigate the above, a questionnaire designed and distributed to all Junior Lyceum and Area Secondary mathematics teachers. The questionnaires were then collected and analysed. Some of the results were moreover compared with results of similar studies conducted elsewhere. Results indicate that there exist a difference between attitudes, objectives and beliefs of the participating Maltese teachers and their counterparts which lies mainly in the definition, perception and classroom use of problem solving. The results from this study are beneficial to people interested in mathematics education and especially worthwhile for those individuals who organise the in-service training of Maltese mathematics teachers.