Prospective Mathematics Teachers’ Noticing On The Algebraic Pattern Generalisations Made By 6th Grade Students

There are various studies conducted on the generalisation of patterns, which has a significant place in the field of algebra. A vast majority of those studies are on the strategies used in the process of generalisation of patterns by secondary school students, teachers and prospective teachers. This study, as being distinct from those mentioned, researches the prospective teachers’ and students’ knowledge of generalisation of patterns and their awareness. Students’ real answers consisting of different types of approaches and strategies were used as the data collection tool. This study employs the qualitative research methods and the participants are 35 prospective teachers taking the “teaching algebraic concepts” course in mathematics teaching department at a state university in 2015 – 2016 academic year. According to the research findings, prospective teachers can be considered successful in recognising students’ visible strategies; nevertheless the explanations provided by the prospective teachers on finding out the reasons that lie beneath the student mistakes are unsatisfactory.