Understanding Mathematics Perception through Drawing: An Online Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (OIPA) Study

Abstract

In this study, it is aimed to reveal the images formed in the minds of high school students about the concept of mathematics with the help of their own expressions and drawings. In this qualitative study, the core of 100 high school students’ experiences of math was examined with a holistic approach using Online Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (OIPA). In order to obtain in-depth information about the concept of math from the participants, the purposeful sampling method was used. It was paid full attention to ensure that the participants were high school students. The data were obtained by using the OIPA form, which allows students to create stories and drawings about the concept of math. The data obtained were analyzed in three stages by the researcher and an expert psychologist. As a result of the analysis, it was seen that there were deficiencies in students’ mathematical literacy in situations such as understanding the role of mathematics in daily life and using it to solve real life problems. Additionally, the students expressed the concept of math using 18 different main themes, most of which contained negative strong emotions. Students associated math most frequently with the themes of life (44%) and difficult math language (38%). The students associated math least frequently with the themes of hate (5%) and unimportant (5%). On the other hand, students explained the math domain with individual factors (74%) the most and exosystem (15%) the least. In line with the results obtained in the study, a few recommendations were made.