Challenges facing teachers in teaching quadratic functions in grade 11 mathematics in Luvuvhu circuit schools
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Date
2021
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Publisher
University of Zululand
Abstract
Quadratic functions are highly valued at Grade 11 Mathematics level. They help learners understand arithmetical, algebraic, and statistical concepts. However, learners seem to find quadratic functions difficult and have become a worry to those who teach Mathematics. This has led to parents and the government worrying about our learners’ general performance in Mathematics. The Mathematics Senior Examiner’s Reports regarding the National Senior Certificate (NCS) Examinations always indicate that learners perform poorly in this aspect of the Mathematics paper. Considerable challenges associated with teaching Quadratic Mathematics Functions at Grade 11 level in the Luvuvhu Circuit persist even today. This study aimed at establishing the challenges associated with teaching Quadratic Functions at Grade 11 Mathematics level in the Luvuvhu Circuit’s Schools. It followed the quantitative research methodology and the quantitative research design to explore the challenges faced in the teaching of quadratic functions in Mathematics at the Luvuvhu Circuit’s secondary schools. The IBM - SPSS version 25 was employed in analysing data. This study found that teachers face insurmountable challenges in teaching Mathematics’ Quadratic Functions at Grade 11 level. It also found that learners’ negative attitude towards Quadratic Functions is the biggest challenge. In addition, teachers’ failure to vary their teaching methods, thereby failing to cater to other learners who are not comfortable learning through certain methods was are another notable challenge here. The study concludes that the process of teaching and learning in Mathematics in the Luvuvhu Circuit is dominated by challenges that tend to bog-down lesson deliveries. As a result, little attention is given to the learners’ needs and expectations. It recommends that teachers should be inserviced in order to acquire challenge-solving skills in teaching quadratic functions.
Description
A dissertation submitted to the Department of Mathematics, Science and Technology Education in fulfillment of the Requirements for a Master of Education in the Faculty of Education at the University of Zululand, 2021.
Keywords
Grade 11 Mathematics learners, Mathematics teachers, Quadratic Functions