This study focused on utilising Newman's error analysis model to diagnose the errors made by Grade 3 learners when solving word problems in a diverse classroom setting. The research endeavour seeks to pinpoint the errors manifested by learners when tackling word problems, with the aim of offering practical approaches to bolster the instruction of…

Learners in general struggle when working with word problems. South African learners in particular have an added barrier owing to the many official languages that have been legislated. The South African Department of Basic Education, through its curriculum statements, envisages that problem solving will play a fundamental part in mathematics…

This study is located in the area of university work-integrated learning (WIL) management, in particular the implementation of both placement and non-placement WIL. The focus of the study is on enhancing WIL coordinators' understanding of WIL as a system, using activity theory as a framework, and to mobilize this understanding to address…

Word problem solving is an approach that can increase knowledge, improve performance and develop learners' critical thinking skills that can assist them in solving mathematical and real-life problems. This study examined the effectiveness of using a word problem solving approach to improve Grade 3 learners' performance when learning addition and…

Evidence in South Africa of poor performance on word problems points to particular challenges among learners relating to difficulties with, on the one hand, making sense of mathematical word problems and, on the other, moving beyond inefficient counting based calculation methods. While many studies in mathematics education in South Africa have…

This qualitative research study sought to gain insight into the psychosocial experiences of foster parents providing care to orphans and vulnerable children within Cluster Foster Care schemes. The sample consisted of 12 foster mothers, sampled from a Cluster Foster Care scheme in Kwa-Zulu Natal, South Africa. Using a self-developed semi-structured…

In 2018, we received state funding for 'curriculum reform' to design an academic literacy course that would orient students to legitimate ways of reading and writing in the academy while fostering critical citizenship. Thus, drawing on the view of literacy as a social practice, the course design was shaped around relatable content, in this case,…

Possessing mathematical competence is a pre requisite for independently comprehending, understanding and applying all features of mathematical modelling in a particular setting. This research study thus explores the mathematical modelling competencies that Grade 10 learners exhibit while solving contextual problems in a mathematics learning and…

This paper analyses learners' common errors in simplifying algebraic problems. 102 Grade 10 learners from three rural schools in South Africa participated in the study. Following a quantitative approach, content analysis of learners' responses to algebraic tests revealed that while learners commit several errors in algebraic problems, encoding and…

This empirical paper reports on the development of a professional development initiative, namely the word sum-wheel, which teachers developed collaboratively. The study's objective was to determine how teachers' mathematics word problem-solving instruction could be enhanced through the development of the word-sum wheel using participatory action…

The aim of the study was to determine from teachers' unique perspectives, the types of adversities young South African children are exposed to. The sample consisted of 135 primary school, foundation phase teachers from six different provinces. The data were collected by using an adversity checklist which also included an open-ended question. An…

Learners' challenging behaviour is a growing concern in primary schools. Reports reveal that many learners in South African primary schools are presenting with challenging behaviour - disrupting lessons, causing chaos, putting learners' and teachers' safety at risk, and interrupting school functionality. To understand this phenomenon, a systematic…

Achieving proficiency in fundamental differential calculus concepts remains a persistent challenge for grade 12 students, raising concerns among mathematics teachers and policymakers. Despite the widely acknowledged applications of differential calculus across diverse disciplines, global examination diagnostic reports consistently highlight…

Background: Performance in fraction word problems in primary school indicates that learners face challenges when working with fraction word problems, despite their frequent use of textbooks as learning materials. Aim: This article presents a comparative analysis of three commonly used Grade 6 mathematics textbooks, with the objective of evaluating…

This case study explored Grade 12 learners' misconceptions in limits of functions. The study aimed at understanding problems that learners face in learning the concepts of limit by analyzing misconceptions that learners have and identifying the possible sources of these misconceptions to take remedial action. An exploratory research design was…