Teacher and student views about the unwanted student behaviors in the mathematics cources

Abstract

The aim of this research is to determine what are the unwanted student behaviors and causes in mathematics classes, what strategies teachers use to cope with these behaviors, and how adequate they feel themselves coping with these behaviors. This research carried out with case study from qualitative research designs and the data were gathered with semi-structured interview forms from 50 teachers and 150 students. The obtained data were analyzed by content analysis method. According to the findings of the research, all teachers see the strategies to cope with unwanted student behaviors as preventive and remedial. However, more than half of the students perceive these strategies as frightening and punitive. Most of the teachers stated that they can cope with unwanted student behaviors and that they see themselves as sufficient. Teachers have shown that unwanted student behaviors are more often caused by family problems, mathematics is always seen as difficult, students want to draw attention, and family and teachers cannot show common attitudes towards behavior.