The framework for this paper is a recently developed theory of abstraction in context. The paper reports on data collected from one student working on tasks concerned with absolute value functions. It examines the relationship between mathematical constructions and abstractions. It argues that an abstraction is a consolidated construction that can be used to create new constructions. Newly formed constructions are fragile entities. In the course of consolidating a construction this student creates connections between the new construction and already established mathematical knowledge and develops a language to describe and guide mathematical actions related to the construction. The resulting abstraction is a more resilient form of the construction and the student is able to justify his assertions. The paper also examines issues in designing tasks to consolidate a construction.

This paper is structured in two sections. The first examines views of mathematical abstraction in two broad categories: empiricist and dialectical accounts. It documents the difficulties involved in and explores the potentialities of both accounts. Then it outlines a recent model which takes a dialectical materialist approach to abstraction in context. This model constitutes the basis of the second section where we describe an empirical study designed to investigate mathematical abstraction in socially rich (e.g., peer-interacted and tutor-assisted) environments. We then present data on two students working with the help of a tutor on tasks concerned with graphs of absolute value functions. On the basis of these data, we discuss four particular themes which are relevant to the purpose of this special issue and are important in the discussion of mathematical abstraction: human and artefact mediation, tutor interventions in assisting the formation of mathematical abstractions, implications of a dialectical view on student development, and the things that are abstracted.

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ÖzBu çalışmada, matematik öğretmenlerinin ders kitabı dışında kaynak kullanım durumlarının belirlenmesi ve öğretmenleri kaynak kitap kullanımına iten nedenlerin incelenmesi amaçlanmıştır. Bu amaç kapsamında şekillenen çalışma tarama modelinde betimsel bir araştırma olarak desenlenmiştir. Çalışmaya 100 ortaokul matematik öğretmeni katılmıştır. Katılımcılara açık uçlu sorulardan oluşan bir anket uygulanmıştır. Anketten elde edilen veriler içerik analizine tabi tutularak çözümlenmiştir. Yapılan analizler sonucunda katılımcıların %80 gibi büyük bir çoğunluğunun ücretsiz olarak dağıtılan ders kitabı dışında kaynak kitap kullandıkları belirlenmiştir. Milli Eğitim Bakanlığının kaynak kitap kullanılmaması yönündeki düzenlemeleri, en azından çalışmamıza katılan öğretmenler özelinde, ders kitabı dışında kaynak kullanımını engelleyemediği tespit edilmiştir. Katılımcı öğretmenler kendilerini ekstra kaynak kullanmaya iten sebepler bulunduğunu; ders kitaplarının hem soru bakımından, hem konu anlatımı hem de öğrenci özelliğine uygunluk bakımından beklentilerini karşılamadığını belirtmişlerdir. Elde edilen bulgular ve ulaşılan sonuçlar, ders kitaplarının hazırlanması ve seçimi, ücretsiz dağıtımı, kitapların kullanımı ve süreçte öğretmenlerin ihtiyaç duyacağı destek ve kitapların kullanımıyla birlikte ortaya çıkan değişimin yönetimi konuları ekseninde tartışılmış ve bir takım önerilerde bulunulmuştur.Anahtar Kelimeler: kaynak kitaplar, matematik ders kitapları, matematik öğretmenleri Abstract This study aims to investigate mathematics teachers' use of source books other than textbooks and the reasons behind their choice. This study was designed as a descriptive study and employed a survey method. The participants were 100 middle school mathematics teachers. The participants were given a survey with open-ended questions. The responses were examined via content analysis technique. The findings suggested that 80% of the participants preferred to use source books rather than textbooks available as free-of-charge to the schools. National Ministry of Education (MoNE) has long insisted not to use source books other than textbooks; but the result of this study suggests that restrictions introduced by the MoNE do not refrain teachers from using alternative source books. The participant teachers stated that there were reasons that forced them to use extra sources and mentioned that the textbooks fell short in meeting their expectations in terms of the exercises posed, the ways in which content were structured and presented, and consideration of the student levels. The findings and results are discussed with regard to selection and preparation of textbooks, dispense of textbooks as free-of-charge, use of textbooks and required support available to the teachers in this process and the management of change resulting from the introduction of new textbooks.

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