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©2019 The author and IJLTER.ORG. All rights reserved.
International Journal of Learning, Teaching and Educational Research
Vol. 18, No. 11, pp. 329-347, November 2019
https://doi.org/10.26803/ijlter.18.11.20
Teachers’ Beliefs about the Nature, Teaching and
Learning of Mathematics and Sources of these
Beliefs
Mohammad Alkhateeb
Hashemite University
Zarqa, Jordan
Abstract. This study aimed at investigating the beliefs of mathematics
teachers and the relationship of these beliefs with their teaching
practices, and the acquisition sources of these beliefs. The study
population comprised (100) male and female teachers who were selected
randomly out of those who teach the 12th graders. The study applied
quantitative and qualitative methods together. The data were collected
through the beliefs questionnaire, note card and interview card. The
results showed that the teachers had a blend of swaying beliefs between
constructivism and behaviourism about the nature of mathematics and
math teaching. There was a lack of compatibility between the teachers'
beliefs and their teaching practices. The results further showed that the
primary sources of mathematics teachers' acquisition of their beliefs
were: the social surrounding, former teachers, university studies,
technology, media, self-reflection, personal experience, professional
colleagueship, scientist, religious orientations, educational supervisors,
examinations system and school principals.
Keywords: Teachers’ beliefs; Nature of mathematics; School
mathematics; Belief systems; Teaching practices.
1. Introduction
Preparing the teachers for the twenty-first century is not limited to developing
their knowledge and skills required for their industrial assignments. Instead, the
integrative understanding between teacher preparation and training requires, at
first, calls for focusing on the development of his views about the entire
components of the educational process. At that point, the study of the teachers'
beliefs emerges as one of the underlying mechanisms to achieve these objectives.
Studies of (Beswick, 2012; Charalambous & Philippou, 2019; Cross, 2015; Jong &
Hodges, 2013; Minarni et al, 2018) indicated that the teaching practices of
mathematics teachers are related to his beliefs. Cross (2015) defined the beliefs,
generally, as many thoughts and conscious and unconscious perceptions about