Abstract
M.Ed.
This dissertation is about the instructional approaches used by teachers to teach Grade 11 quadratic equations, errors learners made and misconceptions they possessed. The main topics that I had focused on were solving quadratic equations by factoring, completing a square and using quadratic formula. The intention was to observe teachers’ teaching approaches in quadratic equations and diagnosed types of errors learners displayed and misconceptions they possessed in quadratic equations.
Literature review had served as a secondary source of information that was relied upon for the research study. Sources such as scholarly books, government documents, dissertations, professional journals and electronic resources were used to gather the information pertinent to the research topic. Review was also done on how teachers teach quadratic equations, learners’ learning of quadratic equations and teachers teach and learners learn mathematics.
This study is action research under qualitative research paradigm in which the information collected was analyzed through thick description and not statistically. Pre-test, self and post test evaluation methods are discussed of quadratic equations by factorization, completing a square and using quadratic formula. Learners were tested on factoring, completing a square and using quadratic formula. In addition to the learners’ class exercises and home work, these scripts were also analysed for errors and misconceptions.
Collected data is presented that helped to address errors and misconceptions learners displayed in solving quadratic equations and teachers’ teaching methods and approaches. Data was collected from schools in the neighborhood and the school I was attached as a mathematics teacher. In all schools, five teachers’ three lessons were observed which added up to a total of fifteen. All five teachers were interviewed as well as five learners in each school. Interviews were analyzed by comparing what their teaching approaches with the types of learners’ errors and misconceptions. In classroom observations, Indicator Evaluation Form adopted from Luneta (2006) was used to collect data as well as analyzing it. Questionnaires were prepared for both teachers and learners for interviews.