Examining the opinions of teachers and teacher candidates on the use of mathematical modeling approach in the educational environment

The most important determinant of the use of mathematical modeling in the classroom environment is the teacher. The fact that prospective teachers and mathematics teachers have competent knowledge and application skills about mathematical modeling paves the way for its use in the classroom environment. The purpose of this research is to examine the opinions of mathematics teachers and teacher candidates regarding the use of mathematical modeling in the teaching environment. Interview technique, one of the qualitative research methods, was used in the research. A case study, one of the qualitative research designs, was applied. The data of the research was obtained from 12 mathematics teachers and 49 mathematics teacher candidates working in the 2023-2024 academic year. Data were collected with a semi-structured interview form. The data obtained was analyzed with descriptive analysis. According to the findings of the research, it was stated that most mathematics teachers and prospective mathematics teachers did not have sufficient knowledge about mathematical modeling, and that mathematics teachers' temporal difficulties due to the intensity of the curriculum, lack of knowledge about modeling, student achievement level and the physical conditions of the school where they work prevented them from performing the application in the classroom. Teacher candidates, on the other hand, stated that the level of use of mathematical modeling in the teaching environment was not sufficient during their internship processes.