Mathematics Teachers Research Articles

The Integration Strategy of Class Teacher Management and Mathematics Teaching

The professional and moral education of high school mathematics teachers will make classroom management work better, but their work pressure will also lead to classroom management problems. To do a good job in high school class teacher management and organically integrate it with mathematics teaching, we need to start from two aspects: mathematics teaching class teachers and class teacher work teaching, and penetrate mathematical thinking into daily classroom management, moral education, and classroom culture construction. Based on the attributes of the subject, we guide high school students to reflect after class to stimulate their self-management initiative through the cultivation of qualified class representatives. In addition, it is necessary to skillfully resolve classroom generative problems, change the roles of teachers and students, and integrate classroom management with mathematics teaching.

Teacher education for mathematical modelling: exploring the experiences of secondary school teachers in two courses

This paper focuses on in-service teacher education as a crucial agent in driving educational paradigm shifts for the teaching and learning of mathematical modelling. Our paper presents empirical research based on two case studies, examining training courses for in-service secondary school mathematics teachers. The first course integrates different modelling approaches, while the second one is based on the anthropological theory of the didactic and uses the proposal of the study and research paths for teacher education. Both experiences conclude with teachers working on the design of modelling tasks to be implemented in secondary schools. Both courses are analysed through the lenses of how teachers progress on the collective identification of conditions and constraints for modelling, when teachers deal with the design of modelling tasks and analyse their implementations. First, the results show the kind of modelling tasks teachers design and the level of disciplinary specificity at which they plan modelling to be implemented. Second, we analyse how teachers address the “ecological analysis”, that is, the identification of conditions and constraints that facilitate or hinder the integration of modelling in secondary school classrooms after their experiences.

Psychosocial Factors Influencing Grade 7 Learners’ Performance in Mathematics Classes: A Focus on Primary Schools in the Northern Cape, South Africa

This study explored the psychosocial factors influencing Grade 7 learners’ performance in mathematics classes at primary schools in Frances Baard District in the Northern Cape Province of South Africa. The study adopted a qualitative interpretive approach infused with a multiple-case study design. The thematic results showed that some learners were not fully engaged in the mathematics classes despite having the necessary resources, including qualified teachers. The study revealed that family and community issues affect learners’ academic performance in mathematics classes. It further found that some learners struggle to comprehend mathematical concepts taught in English, their second language. Furthermore, it highlighted why learner engagement is so weak in the intermediate-phase mathematics classroom. The reasons why learners’ mathematics marks declined in Grade 7 have also been discussed in this study. The study found that the socio-economic factors that affect learners in South African schools can be eliminated if we enlist the support of social services available to South African learners. The study recommends that teachers enhance their pedagogical approaches to fit learners’ home languages, locations, and socioeconomic circumstances. This study supports the notion that more learner-centered approaches be used in the mathematics classroom and adds to existing literature on the subject. Keywords: Mathematics Teachers, Academic Performance, Mathematics Classes, Primary Schools

Characterization of the Competencies of Future Mathematics Teachers in Ecuador

Objective: To analyze the graduation profile of teacher training programs to identify and describe the specific skills that teachers should acquire during their initial training. Theoretical Framework: The study is grounded in the theory of teacher training competencies, which asserts that teachers must possess cognitive abilities to adapt to different educational contexts, procedural skills to address specific professional challenges, and ethical attitudes to guide their educational practice. Method: An ex post facto study was conducted with a mixed exploratory and descriptive approach, using as the study population the 13 Ecuadorian universities that offer teacher training in mathematics. Results and Discussion: A total of 198 competencies grouped into 17 categories were identified. The most frequent category pertains to mathematical knowledge. Variations among the universities analyzed were observed, with some focusing more on content knowledge and others on competencies directly related to teaching practice. Research Implications: The results can be used to enhance teacher training programs by integrating key competencies and developing more effective educational strategies. Additionally, they could influence the formulation of educational policies that establish clear standards, thereby improving educational quality and preparing teachers for current challenges. Originality/Value: This study provides a mixed exploratory and descriptive approach to examine the graduation profile of teacher training programs in mathematics in Ecuador. It also offers guidance for the preparation of future teachers, ensuring alignment with current and future educational demands.

Post-Pandemic Mathematic Teachers' Perception on TPACK and Classroom Management Self Efficacy in Online Teaching

Educational technology professionals commonly utilize the Technological Pedagogical and Content Knowledge (TPACK) framework. Yet, the existing studies lack an examination of the influence of mathematics teachers' perceptions of TPACK on their Classroom Management Self-Efficacy in the context of online teaching. This quantitative cross-sectional survey aimed to explore the potential impact of TPACK on mathematics teachers’ online classroom management, which is significant to improve online teaching. The study involved 232 mathematics teachers from Kuwaiti primary schools who were randomly selected through cluster sampling, who completed a questionnaire consisting of 42 items. The questionnaire aimed to investigate both teachers’ perception of classroom Management Self Efficacy in online teaching, and their TPACK perceptions. Through the utilization of multiple regression analysis, the data revealed a significant correlation between the TPACK component (CK, TK, PK, PCK, TCK, TPK, and TPACK) and classroom Management Self Efficacy in online teaching. Consequently, this study highlights the validity of TPACK as a model to elucidate teachers' effective management of online classrooms. The results of this study contribute to international studies on online teaching efficiency, teaching practices, and teacher technological competencies.

Examining fresh students’ achievement motivation and self-efficacy towards learning high school mathematics

One of the reasons for students’ reluctance to study and succeed in mathematics is that they may not be motivated to learn. This study examined fresh senior high school (SHS) students’ achievement motivation levels and its correlate to self-efficacy towards core mathematics. The study adopted descriptive research design involving a random sample of 314 fresh students in three SHSs in a low performing district in Ghana. The achievement motive scale and the new general self-efficacy scale were adapted and used for data collection. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, independent t-test, one-way analysis of variance and Spearman rank correlation. The results indicated that the students’ achievement motivation levels in dimensions of striving to achieve learning targets, participation in lessons, willingness to work and maintaining positive study habits towards mathematics were quite high. Furthermore, the students’ achievement motivation levels did not differ by gender, type of junior high school attended and boarding status. However, the students’ achievement motivation levels varied across the five programs of study. The study also found a moderately positive significant correlation between students’ achievement motivation and self-efficacy beliefs. The study concludes that the fresh students in this study are highly motivated and believe they can succeed in their study. The study recommends that mathematics teachers should guide these fresh students to set realistic short-long term learning targets to facilitate higher achievement in mathematics. Mathematics teachers should try to first gauge the achievement motivation of the fresh students for high school mathematics for appropriate pedagogical decisions.

Unlocking numerical sense: An in-depth analysis of teaching practices among mathematics teachers in primary schools

Mathematics teachers face significant challenges in developing number sense among students. This study investigates the teaching practices of Saudi Arabian primary school mathematics teachers for fourth-grade female students. Using a descriptive-analytical approach and validated observation cards, the study sampled 20 teachers and analyzed data through statistical measures. Results revealed teaching practice levels as low in planning, moderate in implementation, and high in evaluation, with overall moderate effectiveness. No significant differences were found based on teaching experience, academic degree, class size, training programs, or teaching load. The study recommends the Saudi Ministry of Education enhance teaching practices via targeted professional development and suggests future research on instructional methods across different educational levels and the use of digital tools.

Challenges and Effects of Dialogue and Argumentation in Teaching Ordinary Level Mathematics in Zimbabwe

The purpose of the study was to examine the effect of challenges that affect the teaching of ordinary level mathematics using dialogue and argumentation approach in the mathematics classrooms in Zimbabwe. A descriptive survey was the method employed for the research. The subjects of this study consisted of approximately 100 Ordinary level Mathematics teachers and ten Mathematics Head of Departments selected from 72 public high schools in Gutu district of Masvingo province in Zimbabwe. Purposive sampling was used for selecting ten participating Mathematics Head of Departments for qualitative data. Random sampling was used for selecting samples of teachers for quantitative research. Quantitative data analysis was done using two statistical metrics namely the mean and the standard deviation while qualitative data was analysed by thematic analysis. The empirical findings of the study indicated that challenges such as class size, planning, attitudes, heterogeneity, lack of confidence, and lack of proficiency among challenges that have a significant but negative influence on the application of dialogue and argumentation in the teaching of Ordinary level mathematics. The main study limitation was that the results may not be transferable nationally since the study was limited to schools in the Gutu district of Masvingo province in Zimbabwe. These results have implications on the need for mathematics teachers to receive training on how to plan and implement the dialogue and argumentation teaching approach in the mathematics classrooms.

Mobile devices integrated into Mathematics teaching practice: contributions emerging from continuing training

This article presents the investigation of a Continuing Training course for Mathematics teachers in the final years of Elementary School, with a view to integrating mobile devices into teaching practice. In the theoretical framework, Digital Technologies, Didactic Sequences and the Technological model were addressed. Pedagogical Content Knowledge. The general objective of the research was to investigate the contributions of a continuing education course for the integration of mobile devices in the teaching practice of Mathematics teachers. As a result, it was found that the main contributions of the course to the participants' teaching practice refer to the expansion of their Knowledge about applications that address mathematical content, increasing teachers' confidence in integrating mobile devices, and the expansion of teachers' vision regarding the integration of technological resources, resulting from the sharing of experiences and the study of the theoretical basis covered during the course.

مستوى معرفة معلمي الرياضيات العراقيين ومعلماتها حول اختبار TIMSS

This study aimed to find out the degree of mathematics male and female teachers’ knowledge about the TIMSS test. The researchers developed a test to measure the degree of teachers' knowledge about the TIMSS. The available sample was selected (664) male and female teachers. It represented (15.1%) of the population who teach mathematics in Iraq. The results showed that the degree of mathematics teachers' knowledge about TIMSS ranged from low to moderate, and about (21%) had a high degree of knowledge about it. The results also revealed statistically significant differences (α=0.05) due to gender, years of experience, academic qualifications and grades taught by the teacher. The differences favored females, individuals with 10 or more years of experience, those with master's or PhD qualifications, and teachers of intermediate and middle school grades. Based on these results, the researchers recommend the organization of workshops to raise awareness about the TIMSS test and to inform mathematics teachers about its content.

The Impact of Reflective Practices among Mathematics Teachers who enrolled in the Higher Diploma Program for Pre-Service Teacher Education at Yarmouk University in Developing their Professional Performance

The study aimed to demonstrate the impact of reflective practices on the development of professional performance. the study relied on the descriptive analytical approach. The research community was represented by all mathematics teachers enrolled in the higher diploma program for teacher preparation before service at Yarmouk University. a random sample was selected represented by (110) teachers, a scale of reflective practices was prepared, and the results of the study showed that the level of impact of reflective practices on the development of professional performance came to an average degree, and the areas of reflective practices came in descending order as follows): (The field of classroom management, the field of planning, the field of teaching implementation, and then the field of evaluation), and it turned out that there were no statistically significant differences at the level of significance (0.05) between the responses of study personnel depending on the gender variable. The study recommends spreading awareness and the culture of contemplative practice and its tools by holding training workshops for students and teachers. The need to increase teachers’ interest in employing reflective teaching to develop their abilities in reflective practice. The study also recommends that teachers, both male and female, should pay attention to using assessment for students in order to improve their academic performance.

Assessing the Potentials of Compurized Adaptive Testing to Enhance Mathematics and Science Student’t Achievement in Secondary Schools

This study focuses on Computerized Adaptive Testing (CAT), designed to provide Mathematics and Basic Science teachers in secondary schools with an innovative method of assessment, that can enhance student’s achievement. A descriptive survey design was adopted for the study. Three research questions and two null hypotheses were formulated to guide the study. Using purposive sampling technique, a sample size of four hundred (400) Junior secondary three (JSS3) students and four private schools with computer laboratories in Akwa Ibom State were selected for the study. Each group had 100 members with mixed Mathematical and Basic Science competencies of high, medium, and low. The instrument for data collection was a Mathematics and Basic Science Computerized Adaptive Test (MABSCAT) developed by the researchers, tested, and modified after trial testing.Descriptive statistics, one-way ANOVA was used to analysed the data. Results indicated that: test lengths, testing times, and Mathematical and Basic Science competencies were significantly different at p=0.05 among four groups of stopping criteria (SEE ≤ 0.20, SEE ≤ 0.30, SEE ≤ 0.40 , and SEEm- SEEm-1 ≤ 0.005); test lengths and testing times were significantly different at p=0.05 among the three groups of Mathematical and Basic Science competencies (low, moderately high, and high); and there were 72.25 %, 16.75%, and 8% of the students having a moderately high, low, and high Mathematics and Basic Science achievement respectively. It was recommended among others that, Government should establish item banks, CAT should be introduced in assessment of learning for the actual abilities of the students to be tested with sufficient accuracy.

Памяти Игоря Анатольевича Руднева

This article is in memory of the professor Igor A. Rudnev – Doctor of physical and mathematical sciences, teacher, founder and member of the editorial board of the journal ‘Superconductivity: Fundamental and Applied Research’ and just a unique person.

The Extent of Employing Differentiated Instruction in Teaching Mathematics in Classrooms

The study aimed to examine the extent of employing differentiated instruction in teaching mathematics in the classroom. The study relied on the analytical descriptive approach, representing the research community of all mathematics teachers for the upper basic stage of 10 schools in Irbid, and reached the size of the study sample (40) male and female teachers, a measurement tool (questionnaire) was prepared to collect data from study members. The results of the study showed that the level of employing differentiated instruction in teaching mathematics reached a moderate level. There were no statistically significant differences in the responses of study members attributable to the following variables: (sex, school type, years of experience).

Understanding word problems: Pre-service math teacher proficiency

Mathematics holds a pivotal role in education, empowering students to apply mathematical principles across various domains. This study investigates the proficiency of 100 pre-service mathematics teachers enrolled in a Bachelor of Science with Education (Mathematics) Honors program at Yarmouk University in identifying content and context within mathematical word problems. Employing a case study approach and utilizing the Mathematics Word Problems Test and the Content and Context Questionnaire, the research underscores challenges in error detection and content comprehension. Pre-service mathematics teachers exhibited difficulties recognizing inaccuracies, emphasizing the importance of integrating practical context and enhancing critical thinking in pre-service teacher education. This study advocates for further research to develop strategies addressing these challenges and fostering a more holistic approach to mathematical problem-solving.

Performance of mathematics students using video learning in flipped and flipped collaborative learning settings

Due to rapid technological advancement that continues to permeate almost all facets of the education sector, video learning has been explored to enhance performance, but most researchers do not incorporate flipped classroom in mathematical videos, which affects the teaching and learning of the subject in Nigeria. This study checked the effectiveness of video learning in flipped and flipped collaborative classroom on mathematics students’ achievement and retention. Using a randomized controlled trial with repeated measures approach, 70 senior secondary school students were purposively sampled from two private secondary schools in Gombe State, Nigeria, out of which they were randomly assigned into two experimental groups: video learning flipped classroom and video learning flipped collaborative classroom (VLFCC). Data was obtained using a 30-item mathematics achievement test, which was validated and pilot-tested (r=0.93). Results were computed using descriptive statistics and two-way mixed design repeated measures analysis of variance. Findings revealed that while the students’ within subject performance improved tremendously in the post-test after the four-week treatment, the students in VLFCC performed better in both achievement (F<sub>[1, 69]</sub>=1,576.362, p=0.000, effect size of (η<sub>p</sub><sup>2</sup>)<sup> </sup>of<sup> </sup>0.954) and retention (F<sub>[1, 69]</sub>=114. 119, p=0.000, with an effect size (η<sub>p</sub><sup>2</sup>) of 0.785. The finding has some implications for it exposes mathematics teachers, researchers, and policy makers to the credence of deploying video learning in flipped collaborative classroom to improve students’ performance by engaging students in collaborative learning in addition to watching pre-class videos, where students discuss in small groups in order to learn through observation, imitation, repetition and behavior modeling, thus making them to learn at their pace in order to construct their own knowledge.

Development and effectiveness of digital classroom assessment document for form one mathematics in secondary school

Classroom assessment is essential for tracking students’ progress and improving teaching and learning in the classroom. However, the lack of clear documentation to guide teachers in assessing student mastery often hinders effective communication between teachers and stakeholders about the students’ progress. This study aimed to develop and test the digital classroom assessment document (CA-Do) for form one mathematics to improve classroom assessment practices. Design research and development method, based on ADDIE model, was used to create the digital CA-Do, and 55 mathematics teachers from 55 schools were sampled using stratified sampling. The data collected was then analyzed using SPSS version 27. The digital CA-Do received a satisfactory expert validity score of content validity index (1.00), and found all four tested sub-constructs (i.e., usefulness, ease of use, ease of learning, and satisfaction of use) to be of high level. There were significant differences in teachers’ knowledge post-familiarization with the digital CA-Do. The study concludes that the digital CA-Do can aid teachers in recording the intervention and impact of teaching and learning information and consistently assessing pupils’ mastery level. This research provides guidance to educators on how to modify their classroom assessment strategies to enhance teaching outcomes and classroom assessment methods, particularly formative assessment.

History of mathematical concepts and students’ cognitive understanding of mathematics: Effect of pedagogical content knowledge

This study aimed to explore the relationship between teachers’ pedagogical content knowledge (PCK), students’ interest and motivation in the history of mathematical (HoM) concepts, and students’ cognitive understanding (SCU) of mathematics. A five-level Likert scale questionnaire was used to collect quantitative data from 232 junior high school mathematics teachers. It was found that, on average, students have higher levels of interest, motivation, and cognitive understanding when they are taught utilizing HoM concepts as a pedagogy. The correlation analysis reveals that there is a positive relationship between each of the independent variables and the dependent variable. The regression analysis also shows that teachers’ PCK and students’ interest were strong predictors of SCU, while students’ motivation was a weaker predictor. Hence, it can be said that teachers’ PCK and students’ interest play crucial roles in promoting SCU of using HoM concepts. Further studies are recommended to explore how historical context impacts students’ confidence, enjoyment, and aspirations in mathematics-related fields, which would contribute to understanding the broader implications of incorporating history in mathematics instruction.

Problem-Solving Skills and Difficulties of Pre-Service Mathematics Teachers in Non-Routine Problems

Problem-Solving Skills and Difficulties of Pre-Service Mathematics Teachers in Non-Routine Problems

The Effect of Improvised Computer-Based Software Package on Secondary School Students’ Achievement and Attitude Towards Mathematics

The study was conducted to determine the effect of improvised computer-based software on the achievement and attitude of senior secondary school students towards mathematics. Fifteen secondary school mathematics teachers were trained to produce a computer-based software package and use the package to teach ‘graphical solution to quadratic equations’ to senior secondary class one (SSCI) students. A total sample of 1487 SSCI students was used in the study: 745 students in the 15 secondary schools purposively selected on the rationale of their closeness to a computer center, used as the experimental group, and 742 students from the 15 schools randomly selected for use as the control group. Pre-test, post-test, and quasi-experimental research designs were used to conduct the study. Fifteen intact classes were simultaneously used for treatment in the experimental and control groups. The experimental groups were taught with computers using the computer-based software package on teaching graphical solutions to quadratics equations produced by their teacher, while the control groups were taught using the conventional strategy. The result reveals a significant difference in academic achievement between students taught with improvised computer-based software packages and those taught using the conventional strategy. The mean achievement score of 73% and standard deviation of 9% was obtained from the experimental group, while the control group had a mean achievement of 57% and standard deviation of 5%. Similarly, the experimental group had an attitude test score of 82% and a standard deviation of 6%, while the control group had a mean attitude test score of 59% and a standard deviation of 11%. This gave the calculated value of the t-test as t = 42.3 for achievement and t = 50.1 for attitude, showing a significant difference in achievement and attitude between the experimental and control groups. Thus, an improvised computer-based software package is more effective in teaching mathematics than the conventional strategy. Hence, improvising computer-based software for teaching and learning is highly recommended.