Evaluation of the New Secondary School Curriculum in Turkey from the Point of Mathematical Models and Mathematical Modeling

摘要

This study aims to evaluate the secondary school mathematics curriculum renewed in 2013-2014 education year in Turkey from the point of mathematical models and mathematical modeling. The old and new mathematics curriculum were compared for all class levels by researches and discussed the changes within the group. The report of researchers shows that the following is stated in the 2009 curriculum vision: “Mathematical concepts are abstract in nature. Given the developmental level of children, these concepts are hard to conceive directly. Hence, mathematical concepts are addressed using concrete and finite life models.” Whereas in the general purposes section of the new curriculum, it's emphasized that information and communication technologies should be effectively used in mathematics education, such technologies should be implemented to create the environment for children to improve their skills such as problem solving by modeling, communicating, and reasoning. Moreover, the addition of improvement of problem solving skills by modeling into the program objectives shows that the new curriculum considers modeling important. Considered in general, the new curriculum is found to be simplified, subjects and gains are reduced, and course hours are increased. As it stands, this curriculum is more beneficial and flexible both for students and teachers.