A critical exploration of student teacher’s choice and use of representations in a challenging environment
Nkosinathi Mpalami 1 , Matshidiso Mirriam Moleko 2 *
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1 University of the Free State, Qwaqwa, SOUTH AFRICA2 University of the Free State, Bloemfontein, SOUTH AFRICA* Corresponding Author

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.

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This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

Article Type: Research Article

EURASIA J Math Sci Tech Ed, Volume 18, Issue 11, November 2022, Article No: em2181

https://doi.org/10.29333/ejmste/12516

Publication date: 10 Oct 2022

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