The investigation of prospective teachers? problem solving processes on locus problems by dynamic geometry software and their opinions on the processes

The main purpose of this study is to investigate problem solving processes of prospective elemantary mathematics teachers on locus problems by using Dynamic Geometry Software (DGY). The research utilized case study method; one of the qualitative research methods. The participants of the study were composed of 36 senior prospective teachers attended to ?Elective Course (EC)-Geometry Education? course and enrolled in an Elementary Mathematics Teaching Program in a medium-sized university of Turkey.Locus problems were solved by prospective teachers after learning a dynamic geometric software (Cabri) during 10 week study. During the first five weeks of the study, the it was introduced the Cabri software and presented variety of examples about using software. In addition, the subject of locus was told of and some locus problems were solved by using software. From 6th to 9th weeks of the study prospective teachers solved 6 geometric place problems by using software and paper-pencil. Researcher observed the participants while they were solving the problems. In addition, during 2th and 6th weeks the researcher made interviews with 6 prospective teachers.The data was collected through four different methods; "Research Diary Notes", "Answer Sheets", "Participant Reports", "Screen Shots" and "Semi-Structured Interviews". In order to analyze the data, content analysis and descriptive analysis techniques were used together.The results indicated that prospective teachers made various errors during solving problems on paper. When prospective teachers started to solve the problems by using the software they had some troubles because of insufficiency in using mathematical knowledge required by the software but they overcame these difficulties at final stages of the application. Comparing these two processes, they had oppurtunities to make hypothesis, test their hypothesis and generalize when they used software as a different from the paper-pencil. In addition, it was identified that the study contributed to theiır effective use of mathematical knowledge, determination of the independent and dependent point, visualization of the shapes and making accurate predictions in problem solving proccesses. Moreover, participants while keeping in mind the advantages and disadvantages of these software, expressed a positive opinion about the use of the DGS such as Cabri for locus subject and elementary geometry subjects.Some suggestions was made on the basis of the findings of this study.