Opportunities to develop mathematical proficiency in Grade 6 mathematics classrooms in KwaZulu-Natal

Authors

  • Noor Ally Durban University of Technology
  • Iben Maj Christiansen University of KwaZulu-Natal

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.38140/pie.v31i3.1821

Keywords:

mathematical proficiency, opportunities to learn, mathematics teaching, South Africa, conceptual understanding, procedural fluency

Abstract

In this article, we propose a rubric for assessing the teacher’s provision of opportunities to develop mathematical proficiency in classrooms. The rubric is applied to data from 30 video recordings of mathematics lessons taught in Grade 6 in one district of KwaZulu-Natal. The results suggest that opportunities to develop procedural fluency are common, but generally of a low quality; that opportunities to develop conceptual understanding are present in about half the lessons, but also are not of a high quality; and that overall opportunities to develop mathematical proficiency are limited, because learners are not engaging in adaptive reasoning, hardly have any opportunities to develop a productive disposition, and seldom are given the opportunity to engage in problem-solving which could develop their strategic competence.

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Published

2013-10-31

How to Cite

Ally, N., & Christiansen, I. M. (2013). Opportunities to develop mathematical proficiency in Grade 6 mathematics classrooms in KwaZulu-Natal. Perspectives in Education, 31(3), 106–121. https://doi.org/10.38140/pie.v31i3.1821

Issue

Section

Research articles