Thesis (M. Ed.)--Kutztown State College. / Source: Masters Abstracts International, Volume: 45-06, page: 2787. Typescript. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 33-35).

The integration of discrete mathematics into the secondary school curriculum (grades 7-12) is an important consideration because the mathematical area is dynamic and interesting, providing students the development of mathematical thinking. Also, it provides for teachers the opportunity to develop innovative mathematics instruction. Since the publication of the document Curriculum and Evaluation Standards for School Mathematics (NCTM, 1989), it has been difficult to determine how many schools have integrated discrete mathematics as a separate or as an integrated course in the school mathematics curriculum. Moreover, the mathematics education research community has, for the most part, not focused on teachers' perceptions about teaching and learning discrete mathematics as an area of investigation. Because of the lack of research in this area, the researcher investigated preservice secondary mathematics teachers' perceptions about discrete mathematics and their reactions to the integration of discrete mathematics into the school curriculum. The researcher purposely selected four preservice secondary teachers who were enrolled in a mathematics course in the fall of 2005. Various data sources were used to get a deep understanding of each participant, including selected coursework, an online survey, and interviews. Results indicated that these preservice teachers perceive discrete mathematics as meaningful to students, as it emphasizes processes such as problem solving and mathematical thinking, and it provides opportunities to use innovative instruction. Because of this, the preservice teachers believe that discrete mathematics should be integrated in the school mathematics curriculum. In addition, several factors that affect the integration of discrete mathematics in the school were identified. These factors are the state curriculum and testing, the historical emphasis of algebra and calculus in the school curriculum, the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (1989, 2000) Standards documents' views of discrete mathematics, teachers' views of discrete mathematics, the lack of knowledge of discrete mathematics, and the lack of materials and guidelines for teaching discrete mathematics. / Ph. D.

It is the purpose of this study to review in brief the changes that have taken place since the turn of the century in content of mathematical studies in the high school and to examine theoretically the significance of such changes.

The purpose of this study was to identify and describe elementary and mathematics teachers&rsquo / views about the new elementary school mathematics curriculum (NC). A total of 22 elementary teachers (grades 1-5) and mathematics teachers (grades 6-8) Alaca district of &Ccedil / orum participated. The data were collected through one-to-one interviews with some of the participants and written responses for the interview questions provided by the rest of the participants. The findings indicated that the participants had positive views about the impact of the NC. Participants reported that the NC helped students reach meaningful learning through the instructional activities, new content, curriculum materials, and new assessment techniques. Participants had positive views about the new roles for the teachers and the students and the increased student motivation that the NC brought. They also expressed challenges in teaching due to the lack of materials, physical facilities, and time. Local differences impacted the implementation of the NC negatively in rural contexts. The intensity of the NC made instructional activities and the assessment processes difficult to implement in multi-grade and crowded classrooms. Participants did not feel efficient enough to implement the NC since they lacked adequate training and support. While teachers adopted the ideas that the NC brought, they adapted these practices to their existing practices. They reported performing a combination of NC practices and previous practices. Participants claimed that content of Ministry support should be more practice oriented, the curriculum materials should be sufficient in number, and the duration of mathematics lesson should be increased.

The study’s purpose was to explore the components of pedagogical content knowledge (PCK) for teaching quadratic function in Grade 10 mathematics classrooms in Mogalakwena district, Limpopo. The study was mainly guided by Shulman’s PCK and it was categorised as content knowledge, knowledge of the curriculum, knowledge of learners and knowledge of teaching strategies. The researcher employed a qualitative case study research design to explore the teaching of three purposefully selected Grade 10 mathematics teachers regarding their knowledge of quadratic function, strategies employed to teach quadratic function and knowledge of Grade 10 mathematics learners in quadratic function. In this study the researcher argued that PCK strands are interwoven, and in order to teach mathematical concepts, such as quadratic function, effectively teachers should employ components of PCK to complement one another. Data were gathered by lesson observation and interviews. Findings revealed that concepts of quadratic function are inefficiently addressed in Grade 10 due to teachers’ lack or inadequacy in some aspects of PCK. Therefore, there is need to develop mathematics teachers’ PCK in the Mogalakwena district to enhance their teaching of Grade 10 quadratic function. / Mathematics Education / M. Ed. (Mathematics Education)