Determination of modeling and operational success in problem- solving of the elementary mathematics teacher candidates

In today's world, mathematical thinking, establishing a relationship between daily life and mathematics, using mathematical concepts through communication, and to syllogize effectively and correctly constitute an important part of educational activities. Parallel to the educational activities carried out in 2005 in our country, the primary mathematics program emphasizes the ability to understand, question, analyze and express the daily life problems using mathematical language. According to the studies are related to mathematical modeling, it is seen that the characteristics which are specified in the mathematical study of modeling could be gained by the students. Mathematical modeling activities enable students to face everyday life problems and generate solutions. It is important for the students to be guided by teachers in determining the methods and techniques for problem-solving, increasing the interest of the students, and developing positive attitudes towards mathematical modeling activities. Mathematical modeling is not included in the primary school mathematics teaching program. Considering the mathematical modeling studies, it is emphasized that mathematical modeling should be included in the mathematics teaching program. The important issues highlighted in this research will be examined and discussed. In this context, the mathematical modeling competencies of the teacher candidates who are educated in institutions that teach mathematics teachers would have great importance. The aim of the research is to examine the application of the mathematics teacher candidates on mathematical modeling and processing achievements and to evaluate their results. Purpose of the research is to determine the mathematical modeling and operational achievements of elementary mathematics teacher candidates. The reason why the study is related to the prospective teachers, it is conceived the results of this study will contribute to the programs in teacher training. Participants of the survey are a total of 50 teacher candidates from a faculty of educational sciences of a foundation university, in undergraduate primary school mathematics teachers' program, grades of 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th. The modeling activities developed by the researcher were used as data collection tools. These questions were formed by a professor who was a researcher in the field of Mathematics. As a result of the research, contribution of mathematical modeling and operational achievements on problem-solving of elementary school mathematics teacher candidates is presented. The results of the survey, the ability of 50 teacher candidates on operational steps are higher than those of the modeling steps on problem-solving. When grade levels are compared to point average, grades 3rd and 4th have achieved more success than grades 1st and 2nd. In view of the results obtained through the use of strategic tools and thanks to the existing literature review on the subject, primary school mathematics teacher candidates have been observed that modeling step is provided more success than the processing step, on questions 1st 2nd and 3rd, replying to math problems taken from real life, regardless of grade levels. On questions 4th and 5th, processing step is provided for more success than in the modeling step. Analyzed in general, regardless of grade levels, it was seen that there is more success in the modeling step. In the analysis of the scores in the answered problems, Group 1(1st and 2nd class) has been found to be more unsuccessful than group 2 (3rd and 4th class) when looking at class levels, i.e. groups. Based on the results of the research, a problem that participants may encounter in real life has observed that they can transfer to mathematics language in that to be able to modeling, but it was found that they were unable to present the correct result with the process on the mathematical model. It has been found that the modeling skill has higher success than the processing skill. It is considered to contribute to the increase of success with correct modeling and correct use of algebraic operations, by identifying the deficiencies processing skills and in the modeling of the problem solving of the research participants.