An Examination of Middle School Students' Mathematical Identities in a Social Context

Year 2025, Issue: 57, 31 - 42

İsmail Satmaz , Remzi Y. Kıncal

https://doi.org/10.33418/education.1577712

Abstract

This study examines the mathematical identities of middle school students in a social context. Mathematical identity is an important factor affecting students' relationships with mathematics and their success in mathematics. Identity is formed by individuals' interactions with their perceptions and environment. In this context, mathematical identity is also shaped by social environment, education system, socio-cultural norms, and socio-economic status. In this research, the case study design, one of the qualitative research methods, was used. This research was conducted with 24 middle school students studying in different six public schools in a provincial center in the Marmara Region in the 2023-2024 academic year in Turkey, and 24 relatives determined by these students. The participants were selected through the maximum diversity sampling method. In the data collection stage, the "Mathematics Identity Scale" and the "Mathematics Identity Social Context Interview Form" developed by the researchers were used. The data were analyzed through a content analysis method. Findings indicate that themes such as attitudes toward the social environment, education system, socio-cultural norms, and socio-economic status significantly affect students' mathematical identities. In addition, it has been determined that individual characteristics such as mathematical communication skills, mathematical literacy, attitude towards mathematics, and mathematical persistence also affect the formation of mathematical identity. In conclusion, students' social environments and individual characteristics play a significant role in shaping their mathematical identities. Researchers are recommended to conduct similar studies in different social and cultural contexts and to examine the changes in students' mathematical identities through longitudinal studies.

Keywords

Middle School Students, Mathematical Identity, Social Context in Mathematics

Ethical Statement

Ethics committee approval was obtained from Çanakkale Onsekiz Mart University Social and Humanitarian Ethics Committee (Date: 04.05.2023, Number: E-84026528-050.01.04-2300100856).

Ortaokul Öğrencilerinin Sosyal Bağlamda Matematik Kimliklerinin İncelenmesi

Abstract

Bu çalışmanın amacı ortaokul öğrencilerinin sosyal bağlamda matematik kimliklerini incelemektir. Matematik kimliği, öğrencilerin matematikle olan ilişkilerini ve matematik başarısını etkileyen önemli bir faktördür. Kimlik, bireylerin kendi algıları ve çevreleriyle olan etkileşimleri sonucu oluşur. Bu bağlamda, matematik kimliği de sosyal çevre, eğitim sistemi, sosyal-kültürel normlar ve sosyoekonomik statü gibi faktörlerle şekillenir. Bu araştırmada nitel araştırma yöntemlerinden durum deseni kullanılmıştır. Türkiye'de 2023-2024 eğitim-öğretim yılında Marmara Bölgesi'ndeki bir il merkezinde altı farklı devlet okulunda öğrenim gören 24 ortaokul öğrencisi ve bu öğrencilerin belirlediği 24 yakını ile gerçekleştirilmiştir. Katılımcılar, maksimum çeşitlilik örnekleme yöntemi ile seçilmiştir. Veri toplama aşamasında, araştırmacılar tarafından geliştirilen "Matematik Kimliği Ölçeği" ve "Matematik Kimliği Sosyal Bağlam Görüşme Formu" kullanılmıştır. Veriler, içerik analizi yöntemi ile analiz edilmiştir. Elde edilen bulgular, sosyal çevrenin tutumları, eğitim sistemi, sosyal-kültürel normlar ve sosyoekonomik statü gibi temaların, öğrencilerin matematik kimliklerini önemli ölçüde etkilediğini göstermektedir. Ayrıca, matematiksel iletişim becerileri, matematik okuryazarlığı, matematiğe karşı tutum ve matematiksel yılmazlık gibi bireysel özelliklerin de matematik kimliğinin oluşumunda etkili olduğu belirlenmiştir. Sonuç olarak, öğrencilerin matematik kimliklerinin şekillenmesinde sosyal çevreleri ve bireysel özellikleri önemli bir rol oynamaktadır. Araştırmacılara, farklı sosyal ve kültürel bağlamlarda benzer çalışmalar yapmaları ve öğrencilerin matematik kimliklerindeki değişimlerini boylamsal araştırmalar ile incelemeleri önerilmektedir.

Keywords

Ortaokul Öğrencileri, Matematik Kimliği, Sosyal Bağlamda Matematik

Ethical Statement

Çanakkale Onsekiz Mart Üniversitesi Bilimsel Araştırmalar Etik Kurulu'nun almış olduğu 04.05.2023 tarih ve 06/44 sayılı karar ile bu çalışma etik izin onayı almıştır.

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