
CHALLENGES OF TEACHING AND LEARNING MATHEMATICS AT THE COPPERBELT UNIVERSITY BY DAVID MWILA CHABULEMBWA A dissertation submitted to the University of Zambia in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Education in Mathematics Education THE UNIVERSITY OF ZAMBIA LUSAKA 2014 FOREWORD “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men” Colossians 3v23 i DECLARATION I, DAVID MWILA CHABULEMBWA, do hereby declare that this work is my own, and that all the work of other persons used in this thesis has been duly acknowledged and that this work has not been previously presented in this, or any other university for similar purposes. Date:...............................................Signature............................................................ ii CERTIFICATE OF APPROVAL This dissertation of David Mwila CHABULEMBWA is approved as fulfilling the requirements for the award of the Degree of Master of Education in Mathematics Education of the University of Zambia. Name Signature ______________________________ __________________ External Examiner ______________________________ __________________ Internal Examiner ______________________________ _________________ Internal Examiner iii DEDICATION This work is dedicated to the following people: My wife Dorcas Chabulembwa, my son Mwila and my two daughters Mutale and Chushi. You have made me a blessed husband and father. To my parents: Mr J.D. Chabulembwa and Mrs F.K. Chabulembwa, for making the earliest and most durable impression upon my heart. Your teaching may not have been of a very high intellectual character and yet at a tender age you inculcated in me love of truth, hard work, integrity and honesty. To my brothers and sisters: Edith, Charles (MHSRIP), Alice, Martha, Chilufya, Mutale, Kelvin, Martin and Chilobwa. No one could have more wonderful brothers and sisters. iv ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS I am indebted to my supervisor, Dr Zanzini Ndhlovu who guided me with wisdom, experience and enthusiasm. His recommendations, suggestions and incisive comments were insightful and inspiring. My family has been a great web of support for me. Thank you to my wife Dorcas, my son Mwila and my daughters Mutale and Chushi who God sovereignly brought into my life, for their continued love, support and understanding when I was absent where and when they needed me most. They have been patient, have prayed for me, loved me and continue to be a great source of joy in my life. I would also like to thank my father, Mr J.D. Chabulembwa and my mother, Mrs F.K. Chabulembwa who remain unsung heroes because they taught me the virtues of truth, honesty, integrity, fairness and love. My siblings: Edith, Charles (MHSRIP), Alice, Martha, Chilufya, Mutale, Kelvin, Martin and Chilobwa for their strong moral and family values. I extend my sincere gratitude to Henry and Sylvia Sumbukeni for the love, support and encouragement they extended to me. Heartfelt gratitude to Kapula, Chikwanda, Chilufya and Mwape for putting up with many „evictions‟ that they cheerfully suffered. I do appreciate the help that Anne Chikwanda rendered to me and the help that Mike Mwale has continued to extend to me in data analysis and interpretation. I could not have finished this work without the participation of mathematics students and mathematics lecturers at CBU. I am indebted to you all. I am grateful to Dr Mulenga, the head of mathematics department and to Prof Tailoka, the Dean of SMNS. I am also grateful to CBU v management for allowing me to carry out my study at the Institution. Dr Tabakamulamu, your help was greatly appreciated. Dr B. Nkhata and Dr S. Mbewe your comments added much value to this study. Finally, I am grateful to the Almighty God, the creator of humankind, for granting me health, wisdom and strength to complete my studies. vi TABLE OF CONTENTS PAGE Foreword............................................................................................................................... i Declaration............................................................................................................................. ii Certificate of Approval.......................................................................................................... iii Dedication.............................................................................................................................. iv Acknowledgements................................................................................................................ v Table of Contents................................................................................................................... vii List of Tables......................................................................................................................... xii List of Figures........................................................................................................................ xiii List of Boxes.......................................................................................................................... xiv Abbreviations......................................................................................................................... xv Abstract.................................................................................................................................. xvi CHAPTER ONE: BACKGROUND TO THE STUDY 1.0 Introduction................................................................................................................ 1 1.1 Statement of the Problem........................................................................................... 3 1.2 Purpose of the Study.................................................................................................. 3 1.3 Research Objectives................................................................................................... 4 1.4 Research Questions.................................................................................................... 4 1.5 Significance of the Study........................................................................................... 4 1.6 Theoretical and Conceptual Framework.................................................................... 5 1.6.1 Effective Teaching and Learning Styles for Mathematics........................................ 5 1.6.2 Mathematical Knowledge for Teaching.................................................................... 7 1.6.3 Attitude...................................................................................................................... 9 1.6.4 Transition and Mathematics Foundation................................................................... 10 1.6.5 Conducive Learning Climate..................................................................................... 11 1.6.6 Summary of the Conceptual And Theoretical Framework........................................ 12 1.7 Definition of Terms....................................................................................................13 1.8 Summary of Chapter Divisions.................................................................................. 14 1.9 Conclusion................................................................................................................. 15 vii CHAPTER TWO: LITERATURE REVIEW 2.0 Introduction............................................................................................................... 17 2.1 Learning..................................................................................................................... 17 2.2 Teaching..................................................................................................................... 19 2.3 General Challenges in Tertiary Institutions............................................................... 22 2.4 Challenges in Mathematics Teaching and Learning.................................................. 24 2.5 Conclusion................................................................................................................. 33 CHAPTER THREE: RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODOLOGY 3.0 Introduction................................................................................................................ 34 3.1 Research Design........................................................................................................ 34 3.2 Research Site.............................................................................................................. 35 3.3 Target Population...................................................................................................... 37 3.4 Sample........................................................................................................................37 3.5 Sampling Design........................................................................................................ 38 3.6 Triangulation............................................................................................................. 39 3.7 Data Collection Methods and Instruments.............................................................. 40 3.7.1 Questionnaire........................................................................................................... 40 3.7.2 Interviews................................................................................................................ 41 3.7.3 Focus Group Discussion........................................................................................... 42 3.8 Data Analysis
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