Professional training in mathematics education: a study of programmes, practices and prospects
Thesis submitted to the Faculty of Education in fulfilment of the requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Education in the Department of Mathematics, Science and Technology Education at the University of Zululand, South Africa, 2012.
Creative Teaching Methods Impacts Based on Structuralism Approaches in Improving Mathematics Performance
The project purpose is to analysis the impact of creative teaching methods based on Structuralism Approaches in Improving Mathematics Performance of the third and forth class of elementary schools in Mazandaran province. The project is provided by the unbalanced-control plan with pre-test and post-test in tow groups of experiment and control in type of experiment likeness research and its society containing 40537 students of third class and 40136 student of forth class of elementary school. There were 380 students of third class and also 380 student of forth class selected by the method of different level bunched-random sampling. The classification of teaching skills of teachers and mathematics performance test questions were the tools of gathering data of criteria form which was planned in four levels of "knowing, meaning usage, usual problem solving and reasoning" within the framework of TIMSS cognitive. The validity of questions were determined by training group experts and test permanent was made 0.79 and 0.82 for each tools by the method of retesting and Pirson correlation statistic analysis. The parametric results showed that creative teaching methods in improving students mathematics performance in the both classes in knowing level had no impact meaningfully, but it had an comprehensive impact on the other levels of meaning usage, usual problem solving and reasoning.
Science fairs as learning tool for teaching excellence
Science fairs are usually considered to be a pedagogical and cultural activity that involves the students actively. Gifted students need challenges to further develop their skills while maintaining the motivation level. Science fairs may provide the informal environment that will request and allow these students of excellence to challenge themselves by developing a scientific research project. Despite being well known in different countries, in Portugal first steps are being made on the use and implementation of science fairs as effective pedagogical tool. In this work, we will present a 4 years study that was developed on a Portuguese school with the main goal of evaluating the advantages of this informal way of teaching. The study includes an analysis of the evolution of the students’ knowledge that have participated, or visited, the different science fairs. Some advices for the implementation of these projects will be given. The motivation of the students was monitored as well as the knowledge and skills effectively improved by this activity.