Putting the spotlight on mathematics classrooms

This study explores Turkish Grade 6 students’ image of mathematicians and their work, stated attitudes to mathematics, and perceived needs for mathematics. Data was collected using the Draw a Mathematician Test (DAMT). This article is based on the drawings where students depicted a mathematics teacher in the classroom that also presented the mode of instruction being used, through students’ eyes. Trends that emerged for this sample included, in the drawings, (a) the most common mode of instruction was Highly teacher-directed, (b) no evidence of group work or Highly student-centred mode of instruction existed, and (c) a whiteboard and/or books were the most remarkable teaching resources in classroom portrayals.