Examination of written expression skills of math teacher candidates for geometric objects: Student diaries

In this study, the written expression skills of preservice mathematics teachers on the subject of geometric objects within the scope of learning geometry were examined under 3 headings. These are the ability to make definitions, the ability to use concepts, and the ability to use mathematical language. This research, in which the case study method, one of the qualitative research methods, was adopted, was designed with a case model since it was desired to describe the existing situation in its own terms. At the same time, a holistic multi-state model was chosen. This study was realized with the 10 middle school mathematics teachers, studying at first-year student, at the beginning of the fall semester of the 2022-2023 academic year. In the study, the data obtained from the diaries kept by the preservice teachers at the end of each lesson were analyzed with the content analysis method. It has been determined that pre-service teachers have deficiencies in associating concepts compared to expressing and explaining concepts. In addition, the candidates did not avoid using the mathematical language; it was observed that they displayed careless behaviors in the use of mathematical shapes, symbols and notations.