Teachers benefit from Mathematics Workshop at Monash South Africa

5 June 2009

From the left, from Monash South Africa: Mr Jacob Matlala and Ms Chriscelia Pienaar (both Foundation Programme teachers); Mr Craig Rowe, Community Engagement Coordinator, and from the Faculty of Education at Monash University Australia: Dr Ian Lowe and Prof Len Cairns, Associate Dean: Development.

Teachers participate in the hands-on Mathematics Workshop at Monash South Africa

A three-day workshop to improve the skills of Mathematics teachers was presented at the Monash South Africa campus recently. The aim was to help teachers to use engaging but simple hands-on activities, to stimulate their own understanding, to help them meet the demands of the new National Senior Certificate curriculum and to assist them in motivating learners to enjoy the study of mathematics. 

In total 30 teachers from previously-disadvantaged secondary schools near the Monash South Africa campus took part in the workshop, where they were divided into eight working groups. The method used was a mix of question-and-answer, hands-on activities and group discussion.

The workshop was presented by Dr Ian Lowe, from the Faculty of Education at Monash University, Australia, as well as Mr Jacob Matlala and Ms Chriscelia Pienaar from the Monash South Africa Foundation Programme.

“It was clear that the teachers had never previously seen ‘real life’ activities like those presented, and they responded very enthusiastically,” says Dr Lowe.
Several areas relevant to General Mathematics and Mathematical Literacy were covered during the workshop.

Teachers were encouraged to engage in follow-up strategies including sharing new methods with others; developing a network with other teachers; enthusing other colleagues at their schools and demonstrating some of these ideas to them; as well as sharing with other teachers from other schools, for example at ‘cluster’ meetings.

Five teachers were chosen to lead the process into the future. Together with Monash staff members, they will plan and run a one-day follow-up workshop to act as a reminder of the activities; to support the development of a network; and to encourage the teachers to use what they have experienced.

They will also plan a similar three-day workshop for a new group of 30 teachers at the Monash campus during the September 2009 vacation.

Dr Louw said: “It is my belief that teacher support, with an emphasis on good pedagogy, can serve to develop mathematical understanding in teachers, to replace their own rote learning of the subject. This will eventually have the effect of improved teaching methods and improved understanding by learners. It is well known, however, that single one-off events like this will have little long-term effect on teacher behaviour without further action.”

“The teachers will need continuing follow-up in their schools and further courses, so that the process of moving from rote teaching and learning to teaching for understanding becomes habitual and not just a novelty. I am most grateful for the opportunity to lead the first such course at Monash South Africa.”

Dr Louw added that: “Many people need to be thanked for making this workshop successful including:  Associate Professor Leonard Cairns, Associate Dean, Development, in the Faculty of Education Monash University; Texas instruments, Australia - for providing calculators; the District Managers from the Department of Education - who recruited and supported the teachers; and staff at Monash South Africa.”