摘要：This research describes preservice teachers' perceptions of the use of applets in solving mathematical problems. It examines such perceptions regarding the role and functions that applets have in the problem solving context, the difficulties they encounter when using applets in this context and the necessity or need of their use. I attempt to categorize the perceived need in terms of the types of solution that were used by the participants and the difficulties that they met during solving mathematical problems. To analyze the participants' solutions, their difficulties and need for applets I use the content analysis method which enables to determine the presence of certain words or concepts within the text and the relation between these words or concepts. To discuss the participants perception of the need for applets I used the activity theory frame which enables to analyze the participants' opinions by looking at their operations, actions and activity, and, at the same time, looking at their goals and motives. Though most of the participants thought that mathematical problems could be solved without applets, they emphasized the role of applets as fostering, facilitating and clarifying mathematical problems' statement and solution. The participants pointed at applets as tools which learners enjoy working with, so they will be encouraged to solve mathematical problems using them. What influenced the participants perception of the need to use applets for solving mathematical problems were their ability to solve problems using them, their ability to solve problems without them and the type of difficulties faced by them during the solving process.
关键词：Applets; Mathematical problems; Preservice teachers; Perceptions; Activity theory
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