A Study of Mathematics Education Students’ Difficulties in Applying Analogy to Teaching Mathematics: A Case of the “TWA” Model

Abstract

The model “TWA” (Teaching with analogy) is a model of teaching with analogical reasoning, which could maximize many benefits when using analogies. According to the results of an investigation before, we recognized that the students of mathematics education at Can Tho University have not tended toward applying analogical reasoning to teaching mathematics. This raised a question: “Did the mathematics education students have some difficulties in applying analogical reasoning to teaching mathematics?” To answer the above question, we conducted the study with the following two objectives: (1) to find out mathematics education students’ the ability to apply the TWA model to teaching mathematics contents in secondary schools. (2) to know these students’ opinions on advantages and disadvantages of applying the TWA model to teaching mathematics in secondary schools. The study was carried out in Can Tho University - Vietnam in 2014.