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Procedia - Social and Behavioral Sciences 116 (2014) 1826 – 1831

5th World Conference on Educational Sciences – WCES 2013

The opinions of primary mathematics student-teachers on problem-

based learning method
A. Arzu Arı*,a, Yasemin Katrancıb
a,b
Kocaeli University, Education Faculty Primary Department,Kocaeli 41380, Turkey

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to determine how Problem-Based Learning (PBL) approach, which is one of the learning approaches
where real life like problems are used in order to provide opportunities to learners so as to reach the objectives which was
covered in educational programmes and to use critical thinking and problem solving skills effectively, was perceived by student
primary mathematics teachers. With this mind, 42 pre-service elementary mathematics teachers who took the elective “Problem-
Based Learning in Mathematics Teaching” course participated to the study. The data were collected via “reflections about
problem-based learning” form prepared by the researchers. Pre-service teachers were asked to answer four diverse questions in
the form. The data were analyzed descriptively under four different headings. The results of the study and the implications will
be shared.
© 2013 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.
Selectionand/or
Selection and peer reviewunder
peer-review underresponsibility
the responsibility of Prof.
of Academic Dr.Education
World Servet Bayram
and Research Center.
Keywords: Problem Based Learning, opinions of pre-service mathematics teachers

1. Introduction

Problem-based learning (PBL) method which we are accustomed to its basic futures has been used in medical
education for the first time in 1996 by Barrows and gradually applied to educational studies of other scientific fields.
These studies which started with the leadership of Barrows are perceived as effective methods for bringing up
qualified individuals for the needs of today’s societies.
PBL is not a new concept. Plato and Socrates used PBL forms and on the contrary of teacher centered education
in many of today’s school, asked their students to think, to collect information for themselves, and to discuss this
information at class by running after new information. The historical foundations of PBL became visible with John
Dewey who used methods such as interrogative education and apprenticeship (Sünbül, 2011).
According to Barrows (1996), the features of PBL are the following: (1) Learning is learner-centered. (2)
Learning takes place in small learner groups. (3) Teachers are facilitators and guides. (4) Problems organize
students’ focus and apply learning. (5) Problems are means for improving problem solving skills. (6) New
information is acquired by individual learning.

Corresponding Author: A. Arzu Arı , Tel: +23 444747839

Email: A. Arzu Arı @gmail.com

1877-0428 © 2013 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.

Selection and/or peer-review under responsibility of Academic World Education and Research Center.
doi:10.1016/j.sbspro.2014.01.478
 A. Arzu Arı and Yasemin Katrancı / Procedia - Social and Behavioral Sciences 116 (2014) 1826 – 1831 1827

Constructive learning theory asks learners to be active participants during the learning process and to construct
new information according to their meanings. Also in PBL’s approach, since active learning includes elements such
as the necessity of learning to be based on experience and living, being responsible from learning process and
working with a group, it overlaps with constructive learning theory. It was expressed by many researchers that PBL
approach was one of the good examples of constructive learning environment and basically it was a constructive
learning method (Savery & Duffy, 1995; Ronis, 2001; Saban, 2004; Yaman, 2003). Choosing constructive learning
theory as the baseline makes also learning by doing and living more effective. Besides, since constructive learning
approach is based on how the students learn instead of what they learn, PBL is an important process for realizing
learning in environments where learners are responsible from learning.
In PBL methods teaching starts with a problem. With the problem given within the context of a scenario, a
connection with the learner’s world is established. Problems are only organized on subjects not on disciplines. Small
groups are created for effective, related and complete learning. Students are given full authority for shaping problem
and to manage solution from start to finish. Constant explanations and information are provided for students about
their performances and solutions (Yenilmez & İşgüden, 2007).
In PBL, students study in groups and the teacher has the role of a facilitator, a guide and a director in learning
action. This approach helps students; (1) to make sense of information, (2) to improve effective problem solving
skill, (3) to acquire lifelong learning and individual learning skills, (4) to improve fruitful collaboration, (5) to
improve intrinsic motivation in learning and to be productive individuals (Hmelo-Silver, 2004):
The purpose of this study is to determine the opinions of student primary mathematics teachers regarding
problem based learning. According to this purpose the answers of the following questions were searched:
1. What do they think about PBL method?
2. What do they think about writing problem scenarios in PBL method?
3. What do they think about the probable effects of problem scenarios in PBL method on learners?
4. What do they think about the practicability of PBL method to everyday teaching?

2. Method

2.1. Design of the Research

This is a descriptive study, as the purpose of this study is to determine students’ opinions on PBL method.

2.2. Study Group

The study group of this study consisted of 42 senior students who have PBL courses in teaching mathematics in
Kocaeli University, Educational Faculty, and Teaching Primary Mathematics Department in 2011-2012 academic
years.

2.3. Data Collection Tools, Collecting Data and Data Analysis

The data was collected with a data collection form which was composed of open-ended questions and prepared
by the researchers. Student teachers were given 20 minutes to fill in this data form. The data was interpreted after it
was analyzed descriptively.

3. Findings and Comments

The opinions of student teachers for the first research problem which was determined as ‘What do they think
about PBL method?’ are as in the following:
1828 A. Arzu Arı and Yasemin Katrancı / Procedia - Social and Behavioral Sciences 116 (2014) 1826 – 1831

Table 1: The opinions of Student Teachers on first research problem

Category Frequency Percentage

Time 11 26%
The Difficulty of the Method 6 14%
The Persistency of the Method 3 7%
The Necessity of the Method 11 26%
The Usefulness of the Method 4 10%
Usability 7 17%
Total 42 %100
The data obtained from student teachers were grouped under 6 categories. It was seen that 11 teachers stated
their opinions under the category of ‘Time’ and it was determined that all student teachers included expressions
regarding this method was time consuming. For example:
‘… This method will take most of our time both before and during lessons.’
‘This method is implemented better with the time allocated to the subjects, because more time should be
given for this method.’
‘It is effective in making learning permanent, but it is time consuming.’
At the ‘The Difficulty of the Method’ category, it was seen that 6 student teachers stated their opinions and was
determined that they expressed their opinions regarding that there were difficulties both in preparation and practice
phases. The opinions are as in the following:
‘… It is a little bit difficult and challenging method.’
‘It is a little bit difficult to get results in both cases by using problem-based learning method.’
At the ‘The Persistency of the Method’ category, it was seen that 3 student teachers stated their opinions and
student teachers expressed opinions regarding that PBL was effective in making subjects permanent. Some of the
opinions are as in the following:
‘As it can be a more catchy learning style in terms of students, it is a method that should be practiced.’
‘It is available to provide persistency as it canalizes students to think.’
At the ‘The Necessity of the Method’ category, it was seen that 11 student teachers stated opinions which
emphasized the skills that could be acquired as s result of PBL practices. For instance:
‘I think it is a good method as it canalizes students more to discover, to find and to research …’
‘It improves students’ problem solving, discussion and thinking skills …’
‘It improves students’ ability to analyze and provides them multiple thinking…’
At the ‘The Usefulness of the Method’ category, 4 student teachers used sentences regarding PBL was useful
for students and was a student-centered method. For instance;
‘…solving an intriguing problem can be entertaining for a student. For this reason, this method is
effective.’
At the ‘Usability’ category, it was appeared that 7 teachers expressed their opinions regarding that it was not
necessary to use this method.
The opinions of student teachers for the question which is the second research problem ‘What do they think
about writing problem scenarios in PBL method?’ are as in the following:

Table 2: The Opinions of Student Teachers for the Second Research Problem

Category Frequency Percentage

Writing Characteristics 12 29%
Difficulty of Writing 14 33%
Realism 6 14%
Attractiveness 3 7%
Boringness 2 5%
Time 5 12%
Total 42 100%

The data obtained from student teachers were grouped under 6 categories. Student teachers’ comments regarding
these categories are as in the following:
 A. Arzu Arı and Yasemin Katrancı / Procedia - Social and Behavioral Sciences 116 (2014) 1826 – 1831 1829

12 student teachers who stated their opinions for ‘Writing Characteristics’ category talked about the
characteristics that a scenario should have by emphasizing the requirements of scenario writing in PBL method. For
instance;
‘Generated scenarios should consist of problems that students may encounter in their daily lives. Problem
scenarios must be clear and understandable.’
‘First of all, the names of people and places etc. used for getting attention should be attractive. They should
not be long in order not to be boring. There should be excerpts from daily life. It should be suitable to students’
levels. It should be neither difficult nor easy.’
14 student teachers who stated their opinions for ‘Difficulty of Writing’ category focused on the point that it
was exhausting for teachers by referring the difficulty of writing scenarios. Some of these opinions are as in the
following;
‘Writing a scenario is really a difficult process but we teachers make our own updates and improvements
by producing this kind of scenarios’
‘…It is extremely difficult and painful job…’
6 student teachers who stated their opinions for ‘Realism’ category focused on the necessity of writing realistic
scenarios for getting students’ attention by referring the necessity of compatibility of scenarios with the real world.
As follows;
‘..There should be excerpts from daily life…’
‘As it is inside the human life, it combines lessons with the life...’
‘There should be complicated problems related with real life’
3 student teachers who stated their opinions for ‘Attractiveness’ category reported that scenarios should be
written so as to attract students’ attention. These opinions are as in the following;
‘.. The important thing is to try to write on subjects which attracts students’ attention’
5 student teachers who stated their opinions for ‘Time’ category accepted writing an effective and true scenario
as time consuming by referring the importance of method for students and teachers. For instance;
‘Writing scenarios is quite time consuming but it is useful in terms of having permanent information in
some subjects’
‘Creating problem scenarios takes much time but a good scenario provides permanent learning’
For the category of ‘Boringness’, 2 student teachers stated another difficulty of writing scenarios for teachers by
making comments.
The opinions of student teachers for the question which is the third research problem ‘What do they think about
the probable effects of problem scenarios in PBL method on learners?’ are as in the following:

Table3: The Opinions of Student Teachers for the Third Research Problem

Category Frequency Percentage

Improving Thinking Skills 15 38%
Getting Attention 4 10%
Active Participation 3 7%
Arousing Interest 4 10%
Persistency 6 14%
Difficulty-Complexity 10 21%
Total 42 100%
The data obtained from student teachers were grouped under 6 categories. Student teachers’ comments
regarding these categories are as in the following:
15 student teachers who stated their opinions for ‘Improving Thinking Skills’ category stated that problem
scenarios in PBL methods improved students’ thinking and reasoning skills. These opinions are as in the following;
‘… A good scenario can improve their thinking skills more…’
‘…. Classes can be more enjoyable for students, their thinking skills improve…’
4 student teachers stated their opinions for ‘Getting Attention’ category. The opinions of teachers who
emphasize on the permanency of learning by getting students’ attention to lessons with the help of problem
scenarios are as in the following.
‘After finding a scenario which attracts students’ attention, the learning will be permanent for students’
1830 A. Arzu Arı and Yasemin Katrancı / Procedia - Social and Behavioral Sciences 116 (2014) 1826 – 1831

‘It attracts students’ attention and makes lessons more enjoyable’

3 student teachers stated their opinions for ‘Active Participation’ category by expressing that using problem
scenarios in PBL provided active participation of students during lessons. These are as in the following;
‘Students with PBL in comparison with traditional lectures are more active in lessons by participating in
problem solutions in addition to that permanent learning takes place since they solve by acting and doing’
4 student teachers stated their opinions for ‘Arousing Interest’ category by expressing problem scenarios would
canalize students’ interest to lessons and subjects. For instance;
‘As the problem is not presented directly to student and as it is presented with a scenario, it can be more
attractive. This interest can motivate students positively.’
6 student teachers commented as problem scenarios in PBL created permanent effects on students’ learning for
‘Persistency’ category.
‘…If a scenario was written according to social environments of the students, the learning of the students
would be more permanent.’
10 student teachers stated their opinions for ‘Difficulty-complexity category by expressing problem scenarios in
PBL made understanding the subject and learning more difficult for students. These opinions are as in the following;
‘Some scenarios bore students, some may canalize their attention to another direction. It can be more
complicated for students.’
‘I think that complicated and long scenarios are boring and difficult to understand.’
The opinions of student teachers for the fourth research problem ‘What do they think about the practicability of
PBL method to everyday teaching?’ are as in the following:

Table 4: The Opinions of Student Teachers for the Fourth Research Problem

Category Frequency Percentage

Positive 25 60%
Negative 17 40%
Total 42 100%
The opinions of student teachers for the research problem ‘What do they think about the practicability of
PBL method to everyday teaching?’ were analyzed as positive and negative and it was seen that most of the student
teachers who participated at the study stated that they would use PBL method during their teaching careers. Some of
them are as in the following:
‘I am thinking to use this method with new subjects without boring students for subjects that can be
adapted to scenarios.’
‘The practicability of the subject is high. It prevents saving time as it takes more time for the subject. But, it
is useful and necessary for difficult and confusing subjects.’

4. Conclusion, Discussion and Implications

Student mathematics teachers reported regarding with PBL method that it could be used since it improves
students’ thinking skills and provides permanent learning, however the preparations and practice of this method was
time consuming. While talking about the necessary characteristics of PBL scenarios, it was concluded that
preparing such comprehensive problem scenarios was difficult and time consuming for teachers, after student
teachers expressed that these problems could help to raise students as real problem solvers in their future lives by
writing these problems with examples from their experiences outside the school and in a way that attract their
attention. For their predictions regarding the effect of PBL on students, first of all, after stating that it would improve
students’ thinking skills, while some student teachers expressed that PBL would provide permanent learning and
active participation to lessons and would attract their attention and interest to subject learned and searched, some of
them expressed that it might force some of the students’ learning. As a conclusion, most of the student teachers
pointed out that they would definitely use PBL method when they were teaching by considering its time consuming
character and the difficulties in writing scenarios.
 A. Arzu Arı and Yasemin Katrancı / Procedia - Social and Behavioral Sciences 116 (2014) 1826 – 1831 1831

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