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An evaluation of the efficacy of the aims and objectives of the senior certificate mathematics curriculum

In this study, senior certificate (standard 10) pupils' attainment of the cognitive
and affective aims and objectives of the senior certificate mathematics curriculum
was investigated. With regard to the attainment of the cognitive objectives and
aims, senior certificate pupils' performance in their mathematics examination, in
terms of three broad categories of cognitive abilities (lower level, middle level and
higher level mathematical abilities) was analysed and examined. As no norms
(criteria) for mathematical attainment in respect of these three categories of
cognitive abilities could be identified, these norms had to be firstly developed by
the researcher. However, suitable standardised scales were identified and
administered to determine senior certificate pupils' attainment of the affective aims
and objectives (attitude towards and interest in mathematics). Besides the
quantitative analysis, qualitative assessments of senior certificate pupils'
attainment of the cognitive and affective aims and objectives were also made using
information obtained, by way of a questionnaire, from teachers of senior certificate
mathematics classes.
The main findings that emerged from this investigation were:
* The senior certificate pupils are attaining the desired proficiency levels in the
cognitive objectives and aims of the senior certificate mathematics
curriculum. However, these pupils are not adequately attaining the affective
aims and objectives of the mathematics curriculum.
* Qualitative information elicited from senior certificate teachers of
mathematics tends to support the above findings which were obtained from
the quantitative analysis.
* There is a need for curriculum development in certain areas of the senior
certificate mathematics curriculum, particularly in Euclidean geometry, for
standard grade pupils.
In terms of the general findings, certain recommendations were also formulated.
In several ways, the present research is a pioneering effort in evaluating the
efficacy of the cognitive and affective aims and objectives of the senior certificate
mathematics curriculum. It is hoped that this study will serve as a catalyst for
future research. / Curriculum and Instructional Studies / D. Ed. (Didactics)

Identiferoai:union.ndltd.org:netd.ac.za/oai:union.ndltd.org:unisa/oai:uir.unisa.ac.za:10500/15858
Date06 1900
CreatorsRambehari, Hiraman
ContributorsWessels, D. C. J., Yule, R. M. (Ronald M.)
Source SetsSouth African National ETD Portal
Detected LanguageEnglish
TypeThesis
Format1 online resource (xxx, 355 leaves)

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