Prospective Teachers’ Development of Meta-Cognitive Functions in Solving Mathematical-Based Programming Problems with Scratch

Abstract

Transformations, including symmetry and rotations, are important in solving mathematical problems. Meta-cognitive functions are considered critical in solving mathematical problems. In the current study, we examined prospective teachers’ use of meta-cognitive functions while solving mathematical-based programming problems in the Scratch environment. The study was conducted among 18 prospective teachers, who engaged in a sequence of mathematical problems that utilize Scratch. The data sources included video recordings and solution reports while they performed mathematical problems. The findings indicated that the participants developed their meta-cognitive functions as problem solvers related to both mathematics and programming aspects. The findings also indicated that the participants developed regulation meta-cognitive functions more than awareness and evaluation ones in mathematical and programming aspects.

Keywords

• meta-cognitive functions
• programming
• Scratch
• prospective teachers
• mathematics