Proficiency of Pre-Service Teachers in Mathematics in the Modern World: Basis for Learning Resource Package

Abstract

Mathematics in the Modern World (MMW) teaches us to analyze data, identify patterns, and develop solutions, which is essential in today’s data-driven world. This descriptive-comparative study assessed the proficiency level of second-year pre-service teachers in MMW as a basis for a learning resource package (LRP). The researchers made Mathematics in the Modern Proficiency Test (MMWP Test) was administered among 152 respondents from the Bachelor of Secondary Education (BSEd) program at Cagayan State University – Andrews Campus. The results revealed that most respondents are female, took the Humanities and Social Sciences (HUMSS) strand in senior high school (SHS), and are English majors. In terms of proficiency level in MMW, the respondents were nearly proficient, indicating that they were approaching mastery in using basic and procedural skills to solve problems. Particularly, the respondents were nearly proficient level in three areas of MMW namely, Nature of Mathematics, Mathematics as a Tool, and Geometric Design, and were low proficient level in one area – Mathematics of Finance. On comparison of the respondents’ proficiency level in MMW when grouped according to profile variables, the results showed that a significant difference exists in terms of SHS strand and field of specialization. The study recommends the adoption of the LRP that was developed to help the BSEd pre-service teachers improve their proficiency level in MMW.