The Effects of Kindergarten Teachers' Efficacy Belief on Mathematics Education Practices

유아 교사의 수학교수 효능감에 따른 수학수업실제에 관한 연구

This study examines the effect that mathematics teaching efficacy has on teacher's mathematics education practices. Data was obtained from 220 kindergarten teachers who responded to the questionnaire, the mathematics teaching efficacy belief instrument (developed by Enochs). Among these 220 teachers, upper and lower 5 % of the teachers on mathematics teaching efficacy belief were chosen to identify the influence of mathematics teaching efficacy on mathematics activity style, teaching strategy, and teacher-child interaction. The results indicated that teacher's interest in math, previous participation in mathematics teaching method course mainly influenced mathematics teaching self-efficacy. Teachers with high mathematics teaching efficacy belief preferred providing mathematical learning activity than providing other learning areas. They employed effective mathematics teaching strategy such as high and medium cognitive distancing strategy and established positive teacher-child relationship. Implications for teacher education and professional development activities were discussed.