Self-Regulation Profiles of Pre-Service Mathematics Teachers for Primary Education in Mathematical Problem-Solving Contexts

Abstract

Self-regulation in mathematical problem solving is of particular importance in the initial training of Primary Education teachers as it can contribute to improving their own competence in mathematics and at the same time enable them to teach effectively and in a personalized way. With this idea in mind, this study identifies self-regulation profiles present in university students in mathematical problem-solving contexts based on data from the application of a validated scale on a sample of 402 pre-service teachers of primary education at University of the Basque Country. The cluster analysis carried out made it possible to identify and characterize three profiles, labelled according to the level of self-regulation represented by each of them (low, medium, high). In view of the results obtained, we perceive a need to design didactic proposals that allow these profiles to evolve from the lowest to the highest levels.

Keywords

• self-regulation
• mathematical problem solving
• mathematics education
• primary school initial trainers