Examination of Mathematical History Contents in Middle School Mathematics Textbooks

Despite the fact that mathematics education is very important in all countries, many students think that mathematics is consisted of rules, formulas, symbols and signs. The use of history of mathematics is suggested by many researchers to change this belief in students. As textbooks are primary resources for students to gain information on the history of mathematics, the aim of this study is to determine the content and use of the mathematical history items contained in the secondary school mathematics textbooks used in 2016-2017. For this purpose, the textbooks are examined by three experts and the obtained data are analyzed and classified. Although the number of mathematical history items used in textbooks published by is high than the ones in private publishing companies, it is revealed that there are a few mathematical historical items per book. Also, it has been determined that these items are piled up in certain learning areas. As the way of developing technology and information is getting faster, more internet based mathematical history information should be given in the textbooks, and total items should be increased.