The goal of this research study was to provide psycho-educational guidelines that will facilitate synergy between the stakeholders involved with the teaching and learning of mathematics at a school. The stakeholders in this research study are members of the management team, the educators and the learners. Synergy simply defined means that the whole is greater than the sum of its parts. Covey (in Moore, 2003:1) states that synergy is the fruit of mutual respect, of understanding and valuing the differences in one another as well as different approaches to problem solving. I believe that when one creates an environment that is more open, more trusting, less judgemental, more loving and more caring in the classroom synergy will occur. This environment will produce learning outcomes beyond expectation. In other words, when the members of the groups of stakeholders at a school participate synergistically the results that are produced and outcomes that are achieved will be much higher then the total results of the inputs of their individual efforts. It is evident from the description, evaluation and interpretation of the collected data that learners and educators do not experience their interactions as situations where their potential is acknowledged and improved. Once again: if there is no effective interaction and appreciative understanding between the different stakeholders, successful integration cannot take place. There is almost no indication of any collaboration between the participants in the teaching and learning situation. In fact, the analysis of the data show that educators and learners experience the teaching and learning process as a process of disempowerment, which is Theme One of the analysed data. Almost all the sub-categories under Theme One provide evidence that the input of the different role players in the teaching and learning environment is not considered. These categories are: • learners experience that they have to do activities without the necessary pre-knowledge; • learners experience the teaching and learning of Mathematics as a process of victimization; • learners experience that educators ignore their learning needs; • learners experience inadequate communication and inappropriate guidance in the classroom; • educators portray an uncaring attitude; • learners do not portray a positive attitude towards the teaching and learning of mathematics; • educators do not experience job satisfaction; and • educators do not experience support from the parents. However, all the stakeholders that participated in this research study made recommendations that could contribute to a constructive teaching and learning climate. These recommendations were: • educators should play a supportive role; • learners and educators must be motivated; • learners should participate in the teaching and learning situation; o educators should implement new teaching strategies; o educators and learners should value co-operative learning and group work; and • team work between educators and learners should be enhanced; These recommendations indicate that the stakeholders would like the teaching and learning situation to become more constructive and meaningful through active participation. These are essential ingredients for synergy to take place. Educators and learners also indicated that they experience frustrations due to the socio-economic situation of the learners that impact negatively on the teaching and learning of mathematics and contribute to disempowerment of these stakeholders. It seems therefore that the community as well as the parents of these learners are stakeholders that should be considered when the guidelines are formulated. I experienced this research study as an eye-opener with regard to the development of the teaching and learning process into a constructive and meaningful activity. I realised that for sustainable development it is essential to develop all the stakeholders and not only the educators. / Prof. C.P.H. Myburgh
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:netd.ac.za/oai:union.ndltd.org:uj/uj:3632 |
| Date | 21 August 2008 |
| Creators | Hennings, Sandra Audrey |
| Source Sets | South African National ETD Portal |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Thesis |
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