The views of secondary school mathematics teachers' on the use of life connections in mathematics classes

The purpose of this research is to explore the views of secondary school mathematics teachers' on the use of real-life connections in mathematics classes. This work is a qualitative study. In the academic year of 2013-2014, 56 mathematics teachers working in the Uşak province form the sample of this study. The data of the study were collected using the "Mathematics Education Questionnaire". In the analysis of the data, a descriptive analysis method was used. The data were categorized and the views of the teachers were determined accordingly. As a result of the research, teachers express that using real life connections in mathematics lessons increased the permanence of information, contributed to the students' success, helped them develop a positive attitude towards mathematics and problem solving, have diffuculty on finding suitable examples and RME is time consuming. Also, teachers state that during the courses, real-life connections should be used before abstract generalization. Finally, it is seen that most teachers are not as well-equipped to use real life connections. It is aimed that the results of this study will lead teachers, academicians, universities, curriculum developers and the Ministry of National Education.