Preservice Mathematics Teachers’ Self-Efficacy and Competence in using Visual Representations for Teaching Fractions

Sri Suryanti; Agung Putra Wijaya; Ahmad Qolfathiriyus Firdaus

doi:10.31764/jtam.v9i4.32207

Preservice Mathematics Teachers’ Self-Efficacy and Competence in using Visual Representations for Teaching Fractions

Sri Suryanti, Agung Putra Wijaya, Ahmad Qolfathiriyus Firdaus

Abstract

Visual representation is crucial for enhancing students' conceptual understanding of fractions and correcting misconceptions. This explanatory-sequential mixed study assessed Indonesian preservice mathematics teachers' perceptions, self-efficacy, and implementation competencies using visual representations in fraction learning and identified gaps among these three aspects. A total of 251 students from three study programs participated in a validated online survey (α = 0.89). Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Seven participants were then purposefully selected for semi-structured interviews; transcripts were analyzed using Braun & Clarke's six-stage thematic analysis with researcher triangulation. The results showed that although prospective teachers had a very high perception of the pedagogical value of visual representations (M = 4.41; SD = 0.153; 78.9% agreed/strongly agreed), their self-efficacy level was only in the moderate category (M = 3.21; SD = 0.617), with only 28.3% showing high efficacy, and 61.3% were in the medium category. Implementation competence was even lower, with only 17% of participants being able to select and explain visual models pedagogically and 27.8% meeting the sufficient criteria in the teaching reasoning test. The combined analysis of quantitative and qualitative data confirmed the existence of a systemic gap between strong conceptual understanding and limited practical skills, which was mainly caused by uncertainty in model selection, minimal misconception-oriented practical experience, and weak pedagogical reflection. Integrating high-fidelity micro-teaching, representational scenario-based simulations, and video reflections is recommended to enhance self-efficacy and implementation competency.

Visual representation is crucial for enhancing students' conceptual understanding of fractions and correcting misconceptions.This explanatory-sequential mixed study assessed Indonesian preservice mathematics teachers' perceptions, self-efficacy, and implementation competencies using visual representations in fraction learning and identified gaps among these three aspects. A total of 251 students from three study programs participated in a validated online survey (α = 0.89). Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Seven participants were then purposefully selected for semi-structured interviews; transcripts were analyzed using Braun & Clarke's six-stage thematic analysis with researcher triangulation.The results showed that although prospective teachers had a very high perception of the pedagogical value of visual representations (M = 4.41; SD = 0.153; 78.9% agreed/strongly agreed), their self-efficacy level was only in the moderate category (M = 3.21; SD = 0.617), with only 28.3% showing high efficacy, and 61.3% were in the medium category. Implementation competence was even lower, with only 17% of participants being able to select and explain visual models pedagogically and 27.8% meeting the sufficient criteria in the teaching reasoning test. The combined analysis of quantitative and qualitative data confirmed the existence of a systemic gap between strong conceptual understanding and limited practical skills, which was mainly caused by uncertainty in model selection, minimal misconception-oriented practical experience, and weak pedagogical reflection. Integrating high-fidelity micro-teaching, representational scenario-based simulations, and video reflections is recommended to enhance self-efficacy and implementation competency.

Keywords

Preservice Mathematics Teachers; Self-Efficacy: Competence in Visual Representations; Teaching Fractions; Pedagogical Content Knowledge.

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References

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DOI: https://doi.org/10.31764/jtam.v9i4.32207