An investigation of the levels of visual mathematical literacy and digital literacy among Generation Y and Z middle school mathematics teachers and pre-service teachers

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to examine the levels of Visual Mathematical Literacy Perception and Digital Literacy Perception among Generation Y and Generation Z middle school mathematics teachers and teacher candidates. Additionally, the study aims to compare participants' levels of VMLP and DLP in terms of gender, age, and grade level. Materials and Methods: The descriptive survey method, one of the quantitative research methods, was used in this study. Can (2023) defines a descriptive survey as "descriptive studies conducted to identify the characteristics of large populations that are the subject of the research (such as gender, age, visual impairment, marital status, income level, and educational attainment)." An appropriate sampling method was used to determine the study group within the scope of the research. In this context, the study sample consists of middle school mathematics teachers working in Malatya Province during the spring semester of the 2025–2026 academic year and teacher candidates enrolled in the Elementary Mathematics Teaching Program at the Faculty of Education, Inönü University. The "Personal Information Form," the "Visual Mathematics Literacy Perception Scale," and the "Digital Literacy Perception Scale" were used to collect research data. In this study, the data from the teachers and teacher candidates on the VMLPS and DLPS were analyzed using the SPSS statistical software program. Findings: The study examined the scores obtained by middle school mathematics teachers and teacher candidates on the GMOA and DOA scales. In this context, it was found that Generation Y teachers' average scores on the GMOA scale were at the "Always" level; Generation Z teachers' average scores on the GMOA scale were at the "Always" level; and teacher candidates' average scores were at the "Often" level. In this context, it was found that Generation Y teachers' average scores on the DOA scale were at the "Often" level; Generation Z teachers' average scores on the DOA scale were at the "Always" level; and teacher candidates' average scores were at the "Often" level. Conclusion: According to the findings of the study, it was concluded that both the GMOA and DOA levels of middle school mathematics teachers and teacher candidates were adequate. In addition, it was concluded that there was no significant difference in GMOA scores among Generation Y and Generation Z teachers in terms of the gender variable; however, among teacher candidates, there was a significant difference in GMOA scores in favor of males in terms of the gender variable. It was determined that there was no significant difference in GMOA level scores among the generations in terms of the age variable for teachers; similarly, there was no significant difference in GMOA level scores among the generations in terms of the age variable for teacher candidates. It was found that, in terms of the grade level variable among teacher candidates, there was a statistically significant difference in GMOA level scores to the detriment of participants in the 1st grade. It was concluded that there was no significant difference in DOA level scores among teachers based on the gender variable, and that there was a significant difference in DOA level scores among teacher candidates based on the gender variable, favoring males. It was concluded that there was no significant difference in DOA level scores among generations based on the age variable for teachers; similarly, there was no significant difference in DOA level scores among generations based on the age variable for teacher candidates. No significant difference was found in the DOA scores of teacher candidates across different grade levels. A positive, moderate, and statistically significant correlation was found between teachers' GMOA and DOA levels. A positive and moderate statistically significant correlation was found between pre-service teachers' GMOA and DOA levels.