Development of critical thinking of future teachers of mathematics: theoretical and practical aspects

Abstract

Critical thinking is one of the prominent components of the mathematical competence of future educators. The aim of the paper is to analyze modern approaches to the formation of critical thinking among future teachers of mathematics and substantiate some methodical aspects of the formation of critical thinking of future teachers of mathematics in the process of their professional training. To achieve the aim, we used such research methods as: analysis of scientific literature in the context of research; study and generalization of advanced pedagogical and personal work experience in higher education institutions, surveys, questionnaires. Approbation of the proposed methodological techniques was carried out using the methods of organizing a pedagogical experiment in the real conditions of the educational process of the Faculty of Information Technologies and Mathematics of the Lesya Ukrainka Volyn National University. In the article, based on a comparative analysis of different interpretations, the concept of "critical thinking" is interpreted as a mental activity aimed at determining the validity of certain judgments and creating a rational algorithm of actions to solve the corresponding problem, the ability to produce ideas, identify strategic issues and solve them, to find a convincing argumentation, take responsibility, defend one's position and correct it under the reasoned influence of opponents. The main results of the investigation indicate a significant impact on the development of critical thinking of the education seekers of interactive methods and modern learning technologies. Attention is focused on the importance of developing the skills of analysis, synthesis, evaluation and decision-making of the future teachers of mathematics; on the need to actively encourage students to work independently. The experience of teaching mathematical disciplines gives a ground to claim that solving tasks for recognizing errors in arguing, in particular mathematical sophisms, is an effective tool for the formation of critical thinking of the mathematics students. The conclusions of the investigation emphasize that the process of developing critical thinking of the education seekers could be successful only under the condition of purposeful, systematic, appropriately organized educational work. Formation of students' critical thinking skills is the task of all academic disciplines of the educational program for training the future teacher of mathematics.