Exploring the teaching of statistics in grade 10.

Abstract

The purpose of the study was to explore the teaching of statistics at Grade 10 level. A convenient sample of seven Grade 10 mathematics teachers participated in the study. The Department of Basic Education (DBE) has tried and is still trying to implement innovations and strategies for teaching mathematics more effectively. The South African education sector has experienced many changes in the mathematics curriculum with the aim of placing the country on an equal footing globally. Teachers are guided to teach a common curriculum so that all learners have equal understanding and opportunities in achieving success in any chosen field beyond schooling. This study was conducted while the new Curriculum and Assessment Policy Statement (CAPS) was already in place. This study was guided by a qualitative method within an interpretive paradigm. The data was collected from the teachers via a teacher questionnaire, classroom observation schedule and semi- structured interviews. The validity and reliability of all these instruments was established. Teacher interviews were transcribed and classified according to themes. Classroom observations were analysed by using themes and checking for similarities and differences. The findings suggest that teachers used innovative teaching methods irrespective of the teaching context. These methods were used to reiterate the content and concepts used in the teaching process. The results of the study found that the possible ways to improve the teaching of statistics in Grade 10 are: teachers should receive support from their schools/districts to attend in-service education and training programmes, textbooks should be well structured and contain all the information necessary to teach statistics and in-service teacher programmes should meet the needs of teachers by offering content knowledge and longer in- service programmes on the topic of statistics.