Resumen de Beliefs of liberal arts mathematics students regarding the nature of mathematics.

Stephen D. Szydlik

• This study compared general education students' beliefs about the nature of mathematical behaviour with those of mathematics majors and mathematics faculty at both at the start and at the completion of an inquiry-based mathematics course. The course was designed to provide students with authentic experiences in doing mathematics. Results from an initial survey were consistent with findings from earlier studies of similar groups (e.g. prospective elementary teachers): participants viewed the subject as a body of facts and procedures that were at best loosely connected. However, data showed dramatic changes in general education students' mathematical beliefs by the end of the course; on the post-survey, general education students scored on par with mathematics majors. This work suggests that the mathematical beliefs of these students can be changed.