Text in Afrikaans, abstract in Afrikaans and English / Hierdie studie is daarop gemik om te bepaal tot welke mate wiskundeleerlinge op skool en onderwysstudente in wiskunde, onderrig in logika ontvang as agtergrond vir strenge bewysvoering. Die formele aspek van wiskunde op hoerskool en tersiere vlak is besonder belangrik. Leerlinge en studente kom onvermydelik met hipotetiese argumente in aanraking. Hulle leer ook om die kontrapositief te gebruik in bewysvoering. Hulle maak onder andere gebruik van bewyse uit die ongerymde. Verder word nodige en voldoende voorwaardes met stellings en hulle omgekeerdes in verband gebring. Dit is dus duidelik dat 'n studie van logika reeds op hoerskool nodig is om aanvaarbare wiskunde te beoefen. Om seker te maak dat aanvaarbare wiskunde beoefen word, is dit nodig om te let op die gebrek aan beheer in die ontwikkeling van 'n taal, waar woorde meer as een betekenis het. 'n Kunsmatige taal moet gebruik word om interpretasies van uitdrukkings eenduidig te maak. In so 'n kunsmatige taal word die moontlikheid van foutiewe redenering uitgeskakel. Die eersteordepredikaatlogika, is so 'n taal, wat ryk genoeg is om die wiskunde te akkommodeer. Binne die konteks van hierdie kunsmatige taal, kan wiskundige toeriee geformaliseer word. Verskillende bewystegnieke uit die eersteordepredikaatlogika word geidentifiseer, gekategoriseer en op 'n redelik eenvoudige wyse verduidelik. Uit 'n ontleding van die wiskundesillabusse van die Departement van Onderwys, en 'n onderwysersopleidingsinstansie, volg dit dat leerlinge en studente hierdie bewystegnieke moet gebruik. Volgens hierdie sillabusse moet die leerlinge en studente vertroud wees met logiese argumente. Uit die gevolgtrekkings waartoe gekom word, blyk dit dat die leerlinge en studente se agtergrond in logika geheel en al gebrekkig en ontoereikend is. Dit het tot gevolg dat hulle nie 'n volledige begrip oor bewysvoering het nie, en 'n gebrekkige insig ontwikkel oor wat wiskunde presies behels. Die aanbevelings om hierdie ernstige leemtes in die onderrig van wiskunde aan te spreek, asook verdere navorsingsprojekte word in die laaste hoofstuk verwoord. / The aim of this study is to determine to which extent pupils taking Mathematics at school level and student teachers of Mathematics receive instruction in logic as a grounding for rigorous proof. The formal aspect of Mathematics at secondary school and tertiary levels is extremely important. It is inevitable that pupils and students become involved with hypothetical arguments. They also learn to use the contrapositive in proof. They use, among others, proofs by contradiction. Futhermore, necessary and sufficient conditions are related to theorems and their converses. It is therefore apparent that the study of logic is necessary already at secondary school level in order to practice Mathematics satisfactorily. To ensure that acceptable Mathematics is practised, it is necessary to take cognizance of the lack of control over language development, where words can have more than one meaning. For this reason an artificial language must be used so that interpretations can have one meaning. Faulty interpretations are ruled out in such an artificial language. A language which is rich enough to accommodate Mathematics is the first-order predicate logic. Mathematical theories can be formalised within the context of this artificial language. Different techniques of proof from the first-order logic are identified, categorized and explained in fairly simple terms. An analysis of Mathematics syllabuses of the Department of Education and an institution for teacher training has indicated that pupils should use these techniques of proof. According to these syllabuses pupils should be familiar with logical arguments. The conclusion which is reached, gives evidence that pupils' and students' background in logic is completely lacking and inadequate. As a result they cannot cope adequately with argumentation and this causes a poor perception of what Mathematics exactly entails. Recommendations to bridge these serious problems in the instruction of Mathematics, as well as further research projects are discussed in the final chapter. / Curriculum and Institutional Studies / D. Phil. (Wiskundeonderwys)

Over the past several decades there has been an emphasis on educational research pertaining to learners’ performance in Mathematics and on finding methods to improve learner performance in this subject. In South Africa, Grade 12 learners’ results in Mathematics from 2010 to 2013 were unsatisfactory as shown in DBE, 2013a. The teachers are challenged to find new teaching methods that will make the subject more interesting and appealing to the learners (Oliver & Makar, 2010 in Goos, 2010). The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of using computers in the teaching and learning of Mathematics with special reference to the topic of linear functions in order to improve learner performance. The literature reviewed shows that the use of computers not only improves the learners’ performance but also changes their attitude towards Mathematics (Bester & Brand, 2013). The quantitative research approach was used to gather the data, namely the quasi- experimental, non-equivalent control group pre-test-post-test design. Two intact classes formed part of the research study, that is an experimental group (n=50) and control group (n=50). The experimental group learnt the concept of linear function using GeoGebra software. The control group learnt the same concept through the traditional pen and paper method. The data were analysed using the SPSS on ANOVA. The results indicated that there was a significant difference between the mean scores of the experimental group (μ=70.5) and the control group (μ=47.5). From the results it was evident that the use of computers had a positive effect on learners understanding of linear functions as reflected in their performance and on their attitude towards Mathematics, as seen in the questionnaire responses. / Mathematics Education / M. Ed. (Mathematics Education)

A presente pesquisa teve por objetivo analisar os modos de interação e as relações de alunos jovens e adultos com o conhecimento matemático dentro e fora da escola, bem como as possibilidades de aproximação entre conhecimento matemático escolar e não escolar. As referências teóricas compõem-se da concepção de Bernard Charlot (2001) sobre as interações do jovem com o saber; da noção de aprendizagem situada desenvolvida por Jean Lave e Etienne Wenger (1991); e da análise da matemática como cultura feita por Alan Bishop (1999). O desenvolvimento do trabalho apoia-se em análise de bibliografia sobre a temática aqui questão e em dados levantados por meio de acompanhamento de aulas e de entrevistas realizadas com alunos e um professor de duas classes de Educação de Jovens e Adultos de uma escola pública da cidade de São Paulo. Entre os principais resultados do trabalho, podem-se destacar a possibilidade de diálogo entre o conhecimento matemático escolar e o conhecimento matemático adquirido pelos alunos em diferentes contextos não escolares, bem como a possibilidade de relação entre contexto e aprendizagem de modo que cada ambiente crie situações e artefatos próprios para enriquecer momentos de aprendizagem. / This research aimed to analyze the modes of interaction and relationships of young and adult students with mathematical knowledge, inside and outside school, as well as possibilities of approach between mathematical knowledge school and non-school. The theoretical references consist of the conception of Bernard Charlot (2001) on the relationship of youth with knowledge; the idea of situated learning of Jean Lave & Etienne Wenger (1991); and the analysis made by Alan Bishop (1999) of mathematics as a culture. The work development is based on analysis of bibliography on the topic and data collected through monitoring classes and interviews with students and teacher of two classes of youth and adults in a public school in the city of São Paulo. Among the highlight results of the study, its present the possibility of dialogue between the school mathematical knowledge and mathematical knowledge acquired by students in different non-school contexts, as well as the relationship between context and learning, so that each environment creates situations and artifacts to enrich learning moments.

Made available in DSpace on 2016-06-02T19:39:46Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 6037.pdf: 968767 bytes, checksum: 8fb7f515768cae960495efe96022b1da (MD5) Previous issue date: 2014-02-12 / This research has the purpose to analyze the influence of situations in order to deal with mathematics in different social practices. As a specific goal, it investigates the meanings in various school and non-school mathematical practices. Among these purposes there is an analysis about the switch of meanings between one and another practice. The development of this work is based on a review of studies about the exploitation of Mathematics on the day to day problems and in other areas of knowledge that could contribute to the learning of mathematics as a school subject. Considering the idea of mathematics as a social practice, the theoretical framework of the present research has centered on the design of means of structuring and situated learning by Jean Lave. The research follows a naturalistic perspective with ethnographicins piration and uses as a methodological resource the participant observation with a group of elementary school students. The data collected were recorded by the researcher in field activities, through interviews, diaries and field recordings. The activities observed occur inside and outside the school. For the analysis it is considered the resource association between the object and the theoretical framework consisting drawn from Lave s studies. Concerning the results obtained, it is possible to realize the strength of the situation and sometimes, how crucial it is in order to practice math. It stands out especially the prevalence of different meanings in different practices. The present study also promotes questions about the proposal to take the students everyday situations to inside the classroom and therefore, it intermediates my work as a mathematics teacher at elementary schools. / Esta pesquisa tem por objetivo geral analisar a influência das situações no modo de lidar com a matemática em diferentes práticas sociais. Como propósito específico, busca investigar os significados em diferentes práticas matemáticas escolares e não escolares. Destes propósitos decorre uma análise da transferência de significados entre uma prática e outra. O desenvolvimento deste trabalho se apoia em uma revisão bibliográfica de estudos sobre como a exploração da matemática nos problemas do dia a dia e nas demais áreas do conhecimento poderiam contribuir para o aprendizado da matemática escolar. Partindo da ideia da matemática como prática social, a referência teórica da pesquisa tem como eixo central a concepção de meios de estruturação e aprendizagem situada de Jean Lave. A pesquisa segue uma perspectiva naturalística com inspiração etnográfica e usa como recurso metodológico a observação participante com um grupo de estudantes do ensino fundamental. Os dados foram constituídos pela pesquisadora em atividades de campo, por meio de entrevistas, diários de campo e gravações. As atividades observadas ocorrem dentro e fora da escola. Para a análise é considerado o recurso de associação entre o objeto constituído e o referencial teórico elaborado a partir dos estudos de Lave. Dos resultados obtidos, é possível perceber a força da situação e, por vezes, como ela é determinante no modo de se praticar matemática. Destaca-se, sobretudo a prevalência de diferentes significados em práticas distintas. O presente estudo também promove questionamentos acerca da proposta de se levar as situações do cotidiano do aluno para a sala de aula e com isso, intervém na minha atuação como professora de matemática do ensino fundamental.

Submitted by Renata Lopes (renatasil82@gmail.com) on 2017-02-23T14:01:44Z No. of bitstreams: 1 willianjosedacruz.pdf: 5165704 bytes, checksum: 494d07f969a44ae41c762d7617ed44a5 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Adriana Oliveira (adriana.oliveira@ufjf.edu.br) on 2017-02-23T14:34:27Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 willianjosedacruz.pdf: 5165704 bytes, checksum: 494d07f969a44ae41c762d7617ed44a5 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Adriana Oliveira (adriana.oliveira@ufjf.edu.br) on 2017-02-23T14:34:49Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 willianjosedacruz.pdf: 5165704 bytes, checksum: 494d07f969a44ae41c762d7617ed44a5 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2017-02-23T14:34:49Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 willianjosedacruz.pdf: 5165704 bytes, checksum: 494d07f969a44ae41c762d7617ed44a5 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2011-04-29 / Com a percepção que distingue a matemática escolar em vários aspectos da matemática científica, esta pesquisa propõe uma aproximação entre essas duas formas conceituais, no que discute o entender e fazer matemática, perpassando pelas ideias que diferenciam cada uma delas. Ainda que num tratamento formal na apresentação dos Números Reais, serão apontadas possíveis consequências e aplicações desta apresentação nas séries finais do ensino fundamental e do ensino médio. Esta pesquisa também é uma tentativa de iniciar uma reflexão, a partir dos Números Reais, que possa permitir uma mudança na forma de trabalho com a disciplina Análise Real, nos cursos de Licenciatura em Matemática, diminuindo a dicotomia entre a formação matemática do professor e sua prática docente. / With the perception that distinguishes school mathematics in various scientific aspects of mathematics, this research proposes a rapprochement between these two conceptual ways in which discusses the understanding and doing mathematics, passing by the ideas that distinguish each one. Although a formal treatment in the presentation of real numbers, will be pointed out the possible consequences and applications of this presentation in the final grades of elementary school and high school. This research is also an attempt to initiate a reflection from the real numbers, that would enable a shift in the discipline of working with Real Analysis courses in Mathematics, reducing the dichotomy between mathematics teacher education and practice teacher.

Our paper presents some preliminary observation from a collaborative exploratory study linking mathematics, science and reading within a technology enhanced problem-based learning scenario conducted at one French Canadian Elementary and Middle School. Presented in a form of dialogue between teacher and researcher, our findings give some meaningful insight in how an innovative mathematics teaching can be developed and implemented using a real-world problem solving. Instead of a traditional presentation of material about lighting up homes, participating mathematics, science and French teachers were working collaboratively with the ICT integration mentor and two university professors helping students investigate a problem from various perspectives using a variety of cognitive and metacognitive strategies, discussing and sharing the finding with peers and presenting them to a larger audience using media tools. Our preliminary results may prompt further investigation of how innovation in teaching and learning can help students become better critical thinkers and scientifically empowered citizens.

The author shares some of the findings of the research he conducted in 2007 on grade 11 mathematics learners in two schools, one experimental and the other one control. In his study, the author claims that an open-ended approach towards teaching and learning of mathematics enhances understanding of mathematics by the learners. The outcomes of the study can be summarised as follows: 1. In the experimental school, where the author intervened by introducing an open-ended approach to teaching mathematics (by means of giving the learners an open-ended approach compliant worksheet to work on throughout the intervention period), the performance of the learners in the post-test was better than that of the learners from the control school. Both schools were of similar performance in the pre-test. The two schools wrote the same pre-test and same post-test. Both schools were following common work schedule. 2. Within the experimental school, post-test performance of the learners in the class where the intervention was monitored throughout the intervention period (thus ensuring compliance of the teacher to the open-ended approach) out-performed those in which monitoring was less frequent. 3. There was no significant difference in performance between learners from the unmonitored experimental class and those from the control class.

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