Role of Practical Examples in Teaching Mathematics: Textbook Analysis

Year 2025, Volume: 12 Issue: 2, 91 - 107

Senad Orhani , Besim Çeko Ermal Babuna

https://doi.org/10.17278/ijesim.1590441

Abstract

Practical examples are an essential component in teaching mathematics, as they help translate abstract concepts into real-world situations that are easier for students to understand and absorb. This paper aims to analyze the role and effectiveness of practical examples in mathematics textbooks from the curriculum of the Republic of Kosovo for lower secondary education, examining how they are used to illustrate mathematical theory and to support the process of active learning. Practical examples are an essential component in teaching mathematics, as they help translate abstract concepts into real-world situations that are easier for students to understand and absorb. This paper aims to analyze the role and effectiveness of practical examples in mathematics textbooks from the curriculum of the Republic of Kosovo for lower secondary education, examining how they are used to illustrate mathematical theory and to support the process of active learning. Through a content analysis of several textbooks widely used in junior high schools, the study examines the types of practical examples included, how they are presented, and their impact on understanding complex concepts. Also, it is assessed whether the examples are related to real-life and diverse situations, including fields as diverse as economics, science, and technology, to see how well students are prepared to apply mathematics in different contexts outside the classroom. The results of the study show that texts that include poorly structured practical examples and are not closely related to students' real experiences improve not only their understanding of basic concepts but also their ability to solve complex problems. Furthermore, it was found that when examples are creatively formulated and linked to other areas of knowledge, they help increase students' motivation and engagement in learning mathematics. Based on the findings, the paper suggests a more integrated and well-thought-out approach to the design of practical examples in mathematics textbooks, recommending that these examples be varied, clear, and related to everyday problems, to ensure a more effective and successful teaching.

Keywords

Practice examples , problem solving , teaching mathematics , textbooks , understanding concepts

Role of Practical Examples in Teaching Mathematics: Textbook Analysis

Abstract

Practical examples are an essential component in teaching mathematics, as they help translate abstract concepts into real-world situations that are easier for students to understand and absorb. This paper aims to analyze the role and effectiveness of practical examples in mathematics textbooks from the curriculum of the Republic of Kosovo for lower secondary education, examining how they are used to illustrate mathematical theory and to support the process of active learning. Through a content analysis of several textbooks widely used in junior high schools, the study examines the types of practical examples included, how they are presented, and their impact on understanding complex concepts. Also, it is assessed whether the examples are related to real-life and diverse situations, including fields as diverse as economics, science, and technology, to see how well students are prepared to apply mathematics in different contexts outside the classroom. The results of the study show that texts that include poorly structured practical examples and are not closely related to students' real experiences improve not only their understanding of basic concepts but also their ability to solve complex problems. Furthermore, it was found that when examples are creatively formulated and linked to other areas of knowledge, they help increase students' motivation and engagement in learning mathematics. Based on the findings, the paper suggests a more integrated and well-thought-out approach to the design of practical examples in mathematics textbooks, recommending that these examples be varied, clear, and related to everyday problems, to ensure a more effective and successful teaching.Through a content analysis of several textbooks widely used in junior high schools, the study examines the types of practical examples included, how they are presented, and their impact on understanding complex concepts. Also, it is assessed whether the examples are related to real-life and diverse situations, including fields as diverse as economics, science, and technology, to see how well students are prepared to apply mathematics in different contexts outside the classroom. The results of the study show that texts that include poorly structured practical examples and are not closely related to students' real experiences improve not only their understanding of basic concepts but also their ability to solve complex problems. Furthermore, it was found that when examples are creatively formulated and linked to other areas of knowledge, they help increase students' motivation and engagement in learning mathematics. Based on the findings, the paper suggests a more integrated and well-thought-out approach to the design of practical examples in mathematics textbooks, recommending that these examples be varied, clear, and related to everyday problems, to ensure a more effective and successful teaching.

Keywords

Practice examples , problem solving , teaching mathematics , textbooks , understanding concepts

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