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The Impact of Mathematical Modelling on Pre-Service Teachers’ Geometry Self-Efficacy in Urban Colleges of Education

Received: 31 October 2025     Accepted: 12 November 2025     Published: 19 December 2025
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Abstract

This study investigated the impact of mathematical modelling instruction, grounded in Self-Efficacy Theory and Modelling Cycle, on pre-service teachers’ geometry self-efficacy within urban teacher-education contexts in Ghana. Employing a convergent parallel mixed-methods quasi-experimental design, the study involved 191 participants distributed across experimental and control groups over a twelve-week intervention period. Quantitative data were collected through pre- and post-intervention questionnaires, while qualitative data were obtained via semi-structured interviews to capture participants’ reflective experiences. Statistical analyses using rank-based ANCOVA indicated that the experimental group demonstrated significantly higher post-test self-efficacy scores than the control group, F(1,188) = 17.32, p <.001, η2 =.089, representing a moderate effect size. Thematic analysis revealed that collaborative group modelling nurtured mastery experiences, peer mentorship, and reflective learning, thereby reinforcing vicarious and verbal-persuasion processes described in Bandura’s framework. These findings affirm that mathematical modelling instruction effectively enhances pre-service teachers’ pedagogical confidence, reasoning, and problem-solving competence. Although minor baseline variations between groups were observed, the robustness of the intervention remained evident. The study underscores the transformative potential of modelling-based pedagogy for fostering equitable and sustainable mathematics education and highlights its implications for teacher-education curricula and professional development across sub-Saharan Africa’s urban and peri-urban contexts.

Published in Mathematical Modelling and Applications (Volume 10, Issue 4)
DOI 10.11648/j.mma.20251004.11
Page(s) 59-72
Creative Commons

This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.

Copyright

Copyright © The Author(s), 2025. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

Mathematical Modeling, Pre-service Teachers, Self-efficacy, Pedagogical Beliefs, Geometry Instruction

References
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Cite This Article
  • APA Style

    Agyei, E., Bonyah, E., Appiagyei, E. (2025). The Impact of Mathematical Modelling on Pre-Service Teachers’ Geometry Self-Efficacy in Urban Colleges of Education. Mathematical Modelling and Applications, 10(4), 59-72. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.mma.20251004.11

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    ACS Style

    Agyei, E.; Bonyah, E.; Appiagyei, E. The Impact of Mathematical Modelling on Pre-Service Teachers’ Geometry Self-Efficacy in Urban Colleges of Education. Math. Model. Appl. 2025, 10(4), 59-72. doi: 10.11648/j.mma.20251004.11

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    AMA Style

    Agyei E, Bonyah E, Appiagyei E. The Impact of Mathematical Modelling on Pre-Service Teachers’ Geometry Self-Efficacy in Urban Colleges of Education. Math Model Appl. 2025;10(4):59-72. doi: 10.11648/j.mma.20251004.11

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  • @article{10.11648/j.mma.20251004.11,
      author = {Evelyn Agyei and Ebenezer Bonyah and Ebenezer Appiagyei},
      title = {The Impact of Mathematical Modelling on Pre-Service Teachers’ Geometry Self-Efficacy in Urban Colleges of Education},
      journal = {Mathematical Modelling and Applications},
      volume = {10},
      number = {4},
      pages = {59-72},
      doi = {10.11648/j.mma.20251004.11},
      url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.mma.20251004.11},
      eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.mma.20251004.11},
      abstract = {This study investigated the impact of mathematical modelling instruction, grounded in Self-Efficacy Theory and Modelling Cycle, on pre-service teachers’ geometry self-efficacy within urban teacher-education contexts in Ghana. Employing a convergent parallel mixed-methods quasi-experimental design, the study involved 191 participants distributed across experimental and control groups over a twelve-week intervention period. Quantitative data were collected through pre- and post-intervention questionnaires, while qualitative data were obtained via semi-structured interviews to capture participants’ reflective experiences. Statistical analyses using rank-based ANCOVA indicated that the experimental group demonstrated significantly higher post-test self-efficacy scores than the control group, F(1,188) = 17.32, p 2 =.089, representing a moderate effect size. Thematic analysis revealed that collaborative group modelling nurtured mastery experiences, peer mentorship, and reflective learning, thereby reinforcing vicarious and verbal-persuasion processes described in Bandura’s framework. These findings affirm that mathematical modelling instruction effectively enhances pre-service teachers’ pedagogical confidence, reasoning, and problem-solving competence. Although minor baseline variations between groups were observed, the robustness of the intervention remained evident. The study underscores the transformative potential of modelling-based pedagogy for fostering equitable and sustainable mathematics education and highlights its implications for teacher-education curricula and professional development across sub-Saharan Africa’s urban and peri-urban contexts.},
     year = {2025}
    }
    

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    T1  - The Impact of Mathematical Modelling on Pre-Service Teachers’ Geometry Self-Efficacy in Urban Colleges of Education
    AU  - Evelyn Agyei
    AU  - Ebenezer Bonyah
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    AB  - This study investigated the impact of mathematical modelling instruction, grounded in Self-Efficacy Theory and Modelling Cycle, on pre-service teachers’ geometry self-efficacy within urban teacher-education contexts in Ghana. Employing a convergent parallel mixed-methods quasi-experimental design, the study involved 191 participants distributed across experimental and control groups over a twelve-week intervention period. Quantitative data were collected through pre- and post-intervention questionnaires, while qualitative data were obtained via semi-structured interviews to capture participants’ reflective experiences. Statistical analyses using rank-based ANCOVA indicated that the experimental group demonstrated significantly higher post-test self-efficacy scores than the control group, F(1,188) = 17.32, p 2 =.089, representing a moderate effect size. Thematic analysis revealed that collaborative group modelling nurtured mastery experiences, peer mentorship, and reflective learning, thereby reinforcing vicarious and verbal-persuasion processes described in Bandura’s framework. These findings affirm that mathematical modelling instruction effectively enhances pre-service teachers’ pedagogical confidence, reasoning, and problem-solving competence. Although minor baseline variations between groups were observed, the robustness of the intervention remained evident. The study underscores the transformative potential of modelling-based pedagogy for fostering equitable and sustainable mathematics education and highlights its implications for teacher-education curricula and professional development across sub-Saharan Africa’s urban and peri-urban contexts.
    VL  - 10
    IS  - 4
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