International Journal of Education and Development using ICT

International Journal of Education and Development using ICT > Vol. 5, No. 5 (2009)

Creating an online learning ecology in support of mathematical literacy teachers

Maggie Verster, ICT4Champions, Johannesburg, South Africa

Abstract
The introduction of Mathematical Literacy (ML) as a compulsory subject for all learners in the South African Further Education and Training (FET) band who do not take Mathematics, created several challenges for teachers. ML teachers struggle with a variety of issues ranging from lack of adequate training, diverse textbook interpretations, differing philosophical views on the importance of context versus content, negative parent and learner perceptions, assessment, diverse multilingual and multicultural settings and a lack of resources, to name but a few. This paper will give a short background of some of the issues, as well as report on the difficult journey through technology in the quest to establish an online ecology of learning for mathematical literacy teachers. The key research question is how an online space can support learning by Mathematics Literacy teachers. A secondary question relates to the selection of technologies which support rather than hinder this process.

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