Investigation of the effect of WebQuest supported statistics teaching on the statistical literacy of preservice mathematics teachers

The aim of this research is to examine the effect of the WebQuest supported statistics learning process on the statistical literacy of pre-service mathematics teachers. The research was conducted with 21 pre-service mathematics teachers who were determined by using the criterion sampling method, which is one of the purposive sampling methods. The parallel mixed method approach was adopted in the research. In the research one group pre-test-post-test experimental design in the quantitative dimension and case study design in the qualitative dimension was used. Quantitative data of the study were collected through Statistical Literacy Scale, Attitude Towards Statistics Scale, Statistical Self-Efficacy Belief Scale and qualitative data were collected through semi structured interview form. In the analysis of the data obtained by statistical literacy scale and statistical self-efficacy belief scale applied before and after the 5-week WebQuest supported statistics learning process, related samples t-test was used and Wilcoxon signed-rank test was used in the analysis of the data obtained from the attitude scale towards statistics. In addition, effect sizes were calculated in order to test the significance of the results found. Qualitative data obtained from pre-service teachers' interviews on the process were analyzed using content analysis. In the study, it was concluded that the WebQuest supported statistics learning process contributed positively to the Statistical Literacy, Attitudes towards Statistics and Statistical Self-Efficacy Beliefs of the pre-service teachers. In addition, pre-service teachers found the WebQuest supported statistics learning process enjoyable and useful in terms of integrating technology into the learning and teaching process. It is among the results that it enables the development of cognitive, affective and statistical process, but also has difficulties in terms of technology, collaborative work, understanding given tasks, statistical knowledge level, and conducting the research process. Suggestions are given in the light of the results obtained in the research.