The purpose of this study is to focus on constructing a modelling-based learning environment to improve learner performance in grade 6 mathematics classrooms. The purpose emanates from the continued poor performance of learners in mathematics at different school levels, especially grade 6. The teaching and learning of mathematics is explained from an ontological point of departure, focussing on constructivist paradigms. Different types of constructivism are discussed with special attention to the school mathematics domain. The learning, problem based learning, problem solving and learning environment are key components in the discussion. A theoretical perspective on the design of modelling as a powerful learning environment in primary schools mathematics classrooms is provided. Focus is placed on the applicability of the modelling-based learning environment on the South African mathematics curriculum and on study orientation as a key component to help develop an understanding of why learners perform or do not perform in mathematics. A mixed method research design, in which quantitative and qualitative are combined to achieve the outcomes of the research problem, is chosen for this research study project to provide a purposeful research framework. The findings of the research include not only learners’ improvement in dealing with non-routine, mathematical word problems but also in general-routine, mathematical word problems. A second finding shows that the overall SOM pre/post/retention showed good reliability, acceptable construct validity, good practical significance, and large effect but had low to medium effect in individual fields. The univariate analysis for the Crossover design used indicated that the problem solving field had statistical significance and practical significance, and the study milieu and mathematical confidence field might have statistical significance and practical significance. The third finding provided evidence concerning teacher administration, teacher and learner interaction, assessment and homework. The findings from the quantitative and qualitative data-analysis and interpretations, and literature review, guided the researcher in proposing a construct for a modelling-based learning environment as a means to improve learners’ mathematics performance in grade 6 mathematics classes in the John Toalo Gaetswe (JTG) District. The contribution that this study makes is to propose a construct for a modelling-based learning environment to improve learner performance in grade 6 mathematics. / PhD (Mathematics Education), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2014

The purpose of this study is to focus on constructing a modelling-based learning environment to improve learner performance in grade 6 mathematics classrooms. The purpose emanates from the continued poor performance of learners in mathematics at different school levels, especially grade 6. The teaching and learning of mathematics is explained from an ontological point of departure, focussing on constructivist paradigms. Different types of constructivism are discussed with special attention to the school mathematics domain. The learning, problem based learning, problem solving and learning environment are key components in the discussion. A theoretical perspective on the design of modelling as a powerful learning environment in primary schools mathematics classrooms is provided. Focus is placed on the applicability of the modelling-based learning environment on the South African mathematics curriculum and on study orientation as a key component to help develop an understanding of why learners perform or do not perform in mathematics. A mixed method research design, in which quantitative and qualitative are combined to achieve the outcomes of the research problem, is chosen for this research study project to provide a purposeful research framework. The findings of the research include not only learners’ improvement in dealing with non-routine, mathematical word problems but also in general-routine, mathematical word problems. A second finding shows that the overall SOM pre/post/retention showed good reliability, acceptable construct validity, good practical significance, and large effect but had low to medium effect in individual fields. The univariate analysis for the Crossover design used indicated that the problem solving field had statistical significance and practical significance, and the study milieu and mathematical confidence field might have statistical significance and practical significance. The third finding provided evidence concerning teacher administration, teacher and learner interaction, assessment and homework. The findings from the quantitative and qualitative data-analysis and interpretations, and literature review, guided the researcher in proposing a construct for a modelling-based learning environment as a means to improve learners’ mathematics performance in grade 6 mathematics classes in the John Toalo Gaetswe (JTG) District. The contribution that this study makes is to propose a construct for a modelling-based learning environment to improve learner performance in grade 6 mathematics. / PhD (Mathematics Education), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2014

Text in Afrikaans / Hierdie verhandeling fokus op persoonlikheid. selfaktualisering en toesighouersvaardighede. as voorspellers van toesighouersukses. Persoonlikheid en selfaktualisering word vanuit die dimensionele en humanistiese persoonlikheidsteoriee en toesighouersvaardighede vanuit die bestuurpsigologie beskryf. 'n Psigometriese toetsbattery is saamgestel uit drie instrumente wat onderskeidelik persoonlikheid (16 PF Vraelys), selfaktualisering (Persoonlike Orientasie-inventaris) en toesighouersvaardigheid (Posmandjie) evalueer. Vir die doel van hierdie navorsing, is toesighouersukses (volgens prestasiebeoordeling), die afhanklike veranderlike terwyl persoonlikheid. selfaktualisering en toesighouersvaardigheid die onafhanklike veranderlikes is. Die psigometriese toetsbattery is gebruik om te bepaal of daar 'n verband bestaan tussen: a) persoonlikheid. selfaktualisering en toesighouersvaardigheid onderling b) persoonlikheid. selfaktualisering en toesighouersvaardigheid. en prestasie c) persoonlikheid, selfaktualisering en toesighouersvaardigheid gesamentlik, en prestasie deur die formulering van statistiese kombinasies. Die resultate is weergegee en die nulhipoteses aanvaar of verwerp waarna die resultate bespreek is. Hierna is die gevolgtrekking geformuleer dat die gekombineerde statistiese kombinasies of gedeeltes van die drie psigometriese instrumente saam gebruik kan word om toesighouersukses te voorspel. / This dissertation focuses on personality. self-actualisation and supervisory skills as predictors of supervisor success. The dimensional and humanistic personality theories were used to describe personality and self-actualisation while supervisory skills were explained in the context of management psychology. A psychometric battery was compiled consisting of three instruments to evaluate personality (16 PF Questionnaire). self-actualisation (Personality Orientation Questionnaire). and supervisory skills (In-basket Exercise) respectively. In this research supervisory success is the dependent variable. and personality, self-actualisation and supervisory skills the independent variables. The psychometric battery were used to determines if any correlation exists between: a) personality, self-actualisation and supervisory skills b) personality, self-actualisation and supervisory skills. and performance. c) personality, self-actualisation and supervisory skills combined and performance through the formulation of statistical combinations. The results were provided. interpreted and discussed. The conclusion was reached that the statictical combination or parts of the three psychometric instruments combined could be used to predict supervisory success. / Industrial and Organisational Psychology / M. Com. (Bedryfsielkunde)

Text in Afrikaans / Hierdie verhandeling fokus op persoonlikheid. selfaktualisering en toesighouersvaardighede. as voorspellers van toesighouersukses. Persoonlikheid en selfaktualisering word vanuit die dimensionele en humanistiese persoonlikheidsteoriee en toesighouersvaardighede vanuit die bestuurpsigologie beskryf. 'n Psigometriese toetsbattery is saamgestel uit drie instrumente wat onderskeidelik persoonlikheid (16 PF Vraelys), selfaktualisering (Persoonlike Orientasie-inventaris) en toesighouersvaardigheid (Posmandjie) evalueer. Vir die doel van hierdie navorsing, is toesighouersukses (volgens prestasiebeoordeling), die afhanklike veranderlike terwyl persoonlikheid. selfaktualisering en toesighouersvaardigheid die onafhanklike veranderlikes is. Die psigometriese toetsbattery is gebruik om te bepaal of daar 'n verband bestaan tussen: a) persoonlikheid. selfaktualisering en toesighouersvaardigheid onderling b) persoonlikheid. selfaktualisering en toesighouersvaardigheid. en prestasie c) persoonlikheid, selfaktualisering en toesighouersvaardigheid gesamentlik, en prestasie deur die formulering van statistiese kombinasies. Die resultate is weergegee en die nulhipoteses aanvaar of verwerp waarna die resultate bespreek is. Hierna is die gevolgtrekking geformuleer dat die gekombineerde statistiese kombinasies of gedeeltes van die drie psigometriese instrumente saam gebruik kan word om toesighouersukses te voorspel. / This dissertation focuses on personality. self-actualisation and supervisory skills as predictors of supervisor success. The dimensional and humanistic personality theories were used to describe personality and self-actualisation while supervisory skills were explained in the context of management psychology. A psychometric battery was compiled consisting of three instruments to evaluate personality (16 PF Questionnaire). self-actualisation (Personality Orientation Questionnaire). and supervisory skills (In-basket Exercise) respectively. In this research supervisory success is the dependent variable. and personality, self-actualisation and supervisory skills the independent variables. The psychometric battery were used to determines if any correlation exists between: a) personality, self-actualisation and supervisory skills b) personality, self-actualisation and supervisory skills. and performance. c) personality, self-actualisation and supervisory skills combined and performance through the formulation of statistical combinations. The results were provided. interpreted and discussed. The conclusion was reached that the statictical combination or parts of the three psychometric instruments combined could be used to predict supervisory success. / Industrial and Organisational Psychology / M. Com. (Bedryfsielkunde)