Examination of Mathematical Thinking Skills of University Students Attending Universities Intercultural Competition

Abstract

The aim of the research was examining the mathematical thinking skills of university students participating in intercollegiate team competitions in various fields. The research was designed as a survey model. The study sample was established by volunteered licensed university students (N=187) participating in University Sports Federation of Turkey tournaments and Universities’ League (UNILIG). The Mathematical Thinking Scale developed by Ersoy (2012) was used in the research. Computer statistical programs were used for statistical analysis in the study. Percentage, frequency analysis was used for descriptive analyzes in data analysis. Mann Whitney-U and Kruskal-Wallis tests were performed for nonparametric statistical applications to measure the differences between the groups. According to findings; men athletes have more mathematical thinking points then women. Athletes dealing with soccer are more likely to score mathematical thinking skills (rank average of 143.77) than the athletes in other disciplines. There is also a statistically significant difference in the mathematical thinking scale subscales among the athletes who perform team sports (p <0.05). According to these results, university students who are interested in futsal have higher test scores in terms of mathematical thinking skills for all sub . These differences in basketball, volleyball, soccer and soccer team sports are valid for higher-order thinking tendencies, reasoning, mathematical thinking, and problem-solving skills, which are sub-dimensions of the mathematical thinking scale. Also athletes who perform their branches 0-5 years have more mathematical thinking points then other groups.