The Use of a blog to improve mathematics and mathematical literacy results of grade 9 To 11 learners at Thornwood Secondary School, Pinetown district.

Abstract

The challenge of mathematics remains a stumbling block for many learners in South Africa and many other countries. With the alarming number of learners who complete high school without mathematics, the subject of mathematical literacy (ML) was introduced in the South African curriculum. However, evidence that the problem still exists is found in the literature and is observable by those in the fields of mathematics and ML. As an educator, I needed to conduct an action research study under the critical paradigm that underpins the connectivist theory to address the challenge. This study aims to explore the use of a blog to improve mathematics and ML results of grade 9 to grade 11 learners and to explore the learners' perceptions and experiences towards using the blog. This study was conducted at Thornwood Secondary School, Marianhill area, under the Pinetown district. Since the study was dealing with minors, the issue of consent was addressed and followed according to the university regulations. The study purposively collected qualitative data, and conveniently collected quantitative data guided by a mixed-method evaluation design. Two closed-ended questionnaires, focus group interviews, and data comparison using secondary and primary data were the tools selected for data collection. The response rate was 100% due to everyday access to the participants, and all of them agreed to participate in the study. The findings revealed that most learners had positive perceptions of using the blog before training on the blog. They believed that the blog would be a good medium of teaching and learning, and it would be beneficial for them to use the blog in learning mathematics and ML The learners gained various skills, including collaborative learning, organising learning material on their blogs, and sharing links of information with other learners. There were also some challenges that learners experienced while using the blog: technical issues, real-time access, and internet availability and affordability. Nonetheless, learners managed to improvise, adapt, and overcome these challenges, which is considered part of learning. There was an increase in the average marks for learners using the blog. Statistical tests, backed up by the literature, revealed that the increase was influenced by using the blog. The study concluded that using the blog can help improve learners' results through increased learner interest in a subject, decentralised access to information, and collaborative learning. Learning with the use of technology is the future of learning. It is recommended that more attention should be given to making ICT and the Internet available at schools, specifically, public schools.