The Level of Mathematics' Cognitive Structure of Basic Stage for the Field Teacher Students, Faculty of Education at Ibb University

Abstract

The study aimed at measuring the level of mathematics cognitive structure for  mathematics tudents in the basic stage of the field teacher in the Faculty of Education, Ibb University. For achieving the objective of the study, the researchers analyzed the mathematics books from (4-9) grades. Then, a 105-item test of mathematics cognitive structure was constructed which involved the elements of mathematical cognition in the areas of (numbers, processes, algebra, groups, geometry and measurement. It was administered on (23) participants from the department of the field teacher majoring in mathematics. After analyzing the data statistically, the study revealed a number of findings of which the significant ones were: a) the participants' acquisition of the mathematics cognitive structure was low in general and in the areas of numbers and processes, algebra, groups, geometry and measurement, in particular; and b) there were no significant differences among both male and female participants in regard to the acquisition of the mathematics cognitive structure in the basic stage. Finally, the researchers introduced a number of recommendations, most important of which were: holding a suggested training programme before employment to develop the mathematical cognitive structure of mathematics section  students, department of field teacher, and the necessity of analyzing and evaluating the content  and output of the specialist qualification courses (i.e. mathematics courses) in the program of the field teacher at the Faculty of Education, Ibb University in light of the criteria of math contents in the basic stage from 4-9 grades.