Prospective Mathematics Teachers’ Flow Experiences: From High School to University

Abstract

Flow is a subjective experience that is a state of being totally involved, absorbed by activity and focused while enjoying doing the activity for its own sake. Researchers found out flow experience is effective in learning and teaching process. Therefore, the purpose of the research was to investigate the flow status of prospective mathematics teachers at major courses in university and whether their flow status is changed from high school to university, or not. It is also determined the factors affecting their flow experiences. The design of the longitudinal research conducted with 36 participants is a mixed study including descriptive study and multiple case study. Data collection tools are the form for the degree of difficulty of YGS 2017 questions in order to get information students’ flow experience in high school, Flow Short Scale developed by Rheinberg, Vollmeyer, and Engeser (2003) and semi-structured interviews are used. Results show a few numbers of student teachers experience flow; the majority feel at ease. Moreover, instructor factor, academic effort, goal orientation, and preparedness have impacts on student teachers’ flow status.