Church secondary school teachers' perspectives on mathematics teaching

Abstract

This study is an analysis of the teaching of mathematics in Church secondary schools. It investigates the teachers' aims of i;nathematics teaching and the teaching methods and strategies that are prevalent in mathematics classes. This research goes on to investigate the teachers' beliefs and attitudes towards mathematics education and how these influence their practices in class. It also identifies those factors present in Church schools which support or hinder teachers in their work and how these affect the teaching and learning of mathematics. The research instruments used in this study consisted of a closed questionnaire administered with mathematics teachers in all Church secondary schools. This was followed by semi-structured interviews and observations with mathematics teachers in four Church secondary schools. According to the teachers participating in this study, understanding the purpose and relevance of mathematics in society and the development of a positive attitude towards the subject are the most important aims of mathematics education. The participants say that they adhere to constructivist beliefs and attitudes towards mathematics education, however their teaching practices constantly alternate between traditional and constructivist methods and strategies. It was also noted in interviews and observations that teachers give a lot of importance to discussion during mathematics lessons, where students are given the opportunity to discuss and explore mathematics as a whole class with the teacher and among themselves.