Analysis of the correlations between visual mathematics literacy perceptions, reasoning skills on geometric shapes and geometry performances of pre-service mathematics teachers

In the study, the correlations between visual mathematics literacy perceptions, reasoning skills on geometrical shapes and geometrical performances of pre-service mathematics teachers were investigated. The study participants included 384 pre-service mathematics teachers, who were attending education departments in two universities located in Eastern and Southeastern Anatolia regions in Turkey. In the study, due to time and workforce limitations, convenience sampling method was preferred, and relational screening model was adopted. The study data was collected with visual mathematics literacy perception scale, reasoning skills on geometric shapes and geometry performance tests developed by the authors. Analysis of the correlation between the variables demonstrated that there was a moderate correlation between visual mathematics literacy perception and both the reasoning skills on geometrical shapes and the geometry performance, and there was a high correlation between the reasoning skills on geometric shapes and geometry performance. Primary model path analysis demonstrated that visual mathematics literacy perception had a moderate effect on reasoning skills on geometrical shapes and geometry performance. It was also determined that reasoning skills on geometric shapes had a strong effect on geometry performance. The findings of the path analysis conducted on the sub-dimensions revealed that all sub-dimensions had a moderate positive effect on reasoning skills on geometric shapes. It was also found that visual mathematics literacy perception had a moderate positive effect on visual perception, geometry knowledge, spatial intelligence and concretization sub-dimensions and geometry performance.