RESEARCH PAPER
A critical exploration of student teacher’s choice and use of representations in a challenging environment
 
More details
Hide details
1
University of the Free State, Qwaqwa, SOUTH AFRICA
 
2
University of the Free State, Bloemfontein, SOUTH AFRICA
 
 
Publication date: 2022-10-10
 
 
EURASIA J. Math., Sci Tech. Ed 2022;18(11):em2181
 
KEYWORDS
ABSTRACT
The teaching and learning of mathematics in economically challenged environments is demanding. Thus, the teachers who teach in these contexts should have a sound pedagogical content knowledge to make a success of their teaching thereof. International community in mathematics education agrees that multiple representations play a pivotal role in making mathematics accessible to learners. However, the challenge might be the feasibility of such a use in African contexts where a student teacher learns to teach mathematics in a crowded classroom of learners (n=80) with significantly varied age differences (ages 9-15). Against this background, therefore the purpose of the study was to explore the choice and use of mathematical representations in a grade 4 class in Lesotho. Data was collected through lesson observations and reflection sessions. Knowledge quartet typology was used as a data analysis approach. The findings of the study indicate that the use of fake money in the lesson improved participation and helped to scaffold learners’ strategies of addition and subtraction. It is therefore recommended that the prospective teachers be equipped with skills to choose and use multiple representations.
 
REFERENCES (25)
1.
Armour, M., Rivaux, S. L., & Bell, H. (2009). Using context to build rigor: Application to two hermeneutic phenomenological studies. Qualitative Social Work, 8(1), 101-122. https://doi.org/10.1177/147332....
 
2.
Ball, D. L., Thames, M. H., & Phelps, G. (2008). Content knowledge for teaching: What makes it special? Journal of Teacher Education, 59(5), 389-407. https://doi.org/10.1177/002248....
 
3.
Bartolini Bussi, M. G. (2011). Artefacts and utilization schemes in mathematics teacher education: Place value in early childhood education. Journal of Mathematics Teacher Education, 14(2), 93-112. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10857....
 
4.
Bruner, J. S. (1966). Toward a theory of instruction. Harvard University Press.
 
5.
Dalton, E. M. (2017). Beyond universal design for learning: Guiding principles to reduce barriers to digital & media literacy competence. Journal of Media Literacy Education, 9(2), 17-29. https://doi.org/10.23860/JMLE-....
 
6.
Darnis, S., & Dodd, J. (2021). Increasing the learning result of early mathematics odd and even numbers through “Montessori cards and counters” activity: A quasi-experimental study. Al-Athfal: Jurnal Pendidikan Anak [Al-Athfal: Journal of Children’s Education], 7(2), 99-110. https://doi.org/10.14421/al-at....
 
7.
Hume, A., & Berry, A. (2011). Constructing CoRes–A strategy for building PCK in pre-service science teacher education. Journal of Research in Science Education, 41, 341-355. httpS://doi.org/10.1007/s11165-010-9168-3.
 
8.
Kang, R., & Liu, D. (2018). The importance of multiple representations of mathematical problems: Evidence from Chinese preservice elementary teachers’ analysis of a learning goal. International Journal of Science and Mathematics Education, 16(1), 125-143. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10763....
 
9.
Kilpatrick, J., Swafford, J., & Findell, B. (2001). The strands of mathematical proficiency. In J. Kilpatrick, J. Swafford, & B. Findell (Eds.), Adding it up: Helping children learn mathematics (pp. 115-155). National Academy Press.
 
10.
Loughran, J., Mulhall, P., & Berry, A. (2004). In search of pedagogical content knowledge in science: Developing ways of articulating and documenting professional practice. Journal of Research in Science Teaching, 41(4), 370-391. https://doi.org/10.1002/tea.20....
 
11.
Mainali, B. (2021). Representation in teaching and learning mathematics. International Journal of Education in Mathematics, Science and Technology, 9(1), 1-21. https://doi.org/10.46328/ijems....
 
12.
Marshall, A. M., Superfine, A. C., & Canty, R. S. (2010). Star students make connections. Teaching Children Mathematics, 17(1), 38-47. https://doi.org/10.5951/TCM.17....
 
13.
Matteson, S. M. (2006). Mathematical literacy and standardized mathematical assessments. Reading Psychology, 27(2-3), 205-233. https://doi.org/10.1080/027027....
 
14.
Mitchell, R., Charalambous, C. Y., & Hill, H. C. (2014). Examining the task and knowledge demands needed to teach with representations. Journal of Mathematics Teacher Education, 17(1), 37-60. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10857....
 
15.
Moleko, M. M., & Mosimege, M. D. (2021). Flexible teaching of mathematics word problems through multiple means of representation. Pythagoras, 42(1), 10. https://doi.org/10.4102/pythag....
 
16.
Rollnick, M., Bennett, J., Rhemtula, M., Dharsey, N., & Ndlovu, T. (2008). The place of subject matter knowledge: A case study of South African teachers teaching the amount of substance and chemical equilibrium. International Journal of Science Education, 30(10), 1365-1387. https://doi.org/10.1080/095006....
 
17.
Rowland, T., Huckstep, P., & Thwaites, A. (2005). Elementary teacher’s mathematical knowledge: The knowledge quartet and the case of Naomi. Journal of Mathematics Teacher Education, 8, 255-281. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10857....
 
18.
Rowland, T., Turner, F., Thwaites, A., & Huckstep, P. (2009). Developing primary mathematics teaching. Reflecting on practice with the knowledge quartet. SAGE. https://doi.org/10.4135/978144....
 
19.
Salingay, N., & Tan, D. (2018). Concrete-pictorial-abstract approach on students’ attitude and performance in mathematics. International Journal of Scientific & Technology Research, 7(5), 90-111.
 
20.
Samsuddin, A. F., & Retnawati, H. (2018). Mathematical representation: The roles, challenges, and implication on instruction. Journal of Physics: Conference Series, 1097(1), 012152. https://doi.org/10.1088/1742-6....
 
21.
Schwarz, B. B., Kohn, A. S., & Resnick, L. B. (1994). Positives about negatives: A case study of an intermediate model for signed numbers. The Journal of the Learning Sciences, 3(1), 37-92. https://doi.org/10.1207/s15327....
 
22.
Shaw, S. F., Scott, S. S., & McGuire, J. M. (2001). Teaching college students with learning disabilities. ERIC Digest. http://www.ericdigests.org/200....
 
23.
Shulman, L. S. (1986). Those who understand: Knowledge growth in teaching. Educational Researcher, 15(2), 4-14. https://doi.org/10.3102/001318....
 
24.
Shulman, L. S. (1987). Knowledge and teaching: Foundations of the new reform. Harvard Educational Review, 57(1), 1-22. https://doi.org/10.17763/haer.....
 
25.
Strom, J. (2009). Manipulatives in mathematics instruction [Master’s thesis, Bemidji State University].
 
eISSN:1305-8223
ISSN:1305-8215
Journals System - logo
Scroll to top