This article focuses on how two mathematics teachers (Amy and Beth -pseudonyms) cope with the changes of meanings in multiplication due to the changes of contexts. It highlights the qualitative similarities and differences between these two teachers in the sense-making process of multiplication. A potentially useful framework of supportive and problematic conceptions suggested by Chin (2013) and Chin (2014) is employed in this study. Interviews are performed with Amy and Beth in order to collect the necessary data. Findings reveal that both teachers try to make sense of multiplication by building on the conception of repeated addition across different number systems. When multiplication is operated with negative numbers then problematic aspects emerge within the conception of repeated addition. It is observed that both teachers didn't build on the meaning of repeated addition in the multiplication of fractions.

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This paper aims to explore the root causes of students’ misconceptions in decimals. A set of decimal tasks and follow-up interviews were used to gather the relevant data. Eight Year Six primary school students participated in this study on a voluntary basis. In this paper, data collected from two students were reported because they showed qualitatively distinct responses and could cover the spectrum of responses of this group of participants. Findings revealed that students’ misconceptions maybe regarded as preconceptions that were developed from work experiences in other contexts such as integers. This shows that the learning experiences from other contexts may impede future learning of students in new contexts.

Purpose – Given that students were out of school in response to the COVID-19 pandemic public health measures, traditional teaching practices have been forced to switch to online mediated learning environments. This study represents the first research effort to capture the experience of Malaysian mathematics teachers about their teaching during the pandemic. This includes investigating digital education tools mathematics teachers used, issues they encountered, and the knowledge and skills they need to improve during the enforced online teaching situation. Methodology – This study employed a survey design and qualitative data were collected using an online questionnaire. A total of 202 primary and secondary mathematics teachers from Malaysia participated in the study. The data were analysed through thematic analysis and descriptive statistics. Findings – First, it was found that the mathematics teachers employed a variety of digital education tools during the pandemic and the most commonly used tool was WhatsApp. Second, the top two issues faced by the teacher respondents were due to internet problems and students’ engagement during the online learning. A particular striking finding revealed that three-fifths of the teacher respondents who were concerned about the issue of students’ engagement were secondary mathematics teachers. Third, findings of the study further clarified that most of the teacher respondents wanted to improve their technological skills. Significance – This study supports mathematics teachers in making informed decisions about their teaching during school closures. The findings of this study also serve to alert the education sector about the issues related to the implementation of online education in times of the pandemic. In general, this study necessitates in developing preparedness for future pandemics.

This paper aims to illustrate how two primary school teachers (Doreen and Edwin – pseudonyms) make sense of mathematics in particular the multiplication of fractions and decimals. The meaning of a particular mathematical expression and symbol could be conveyed through language however a mathematical procedure that is performed for a purpose may be difficult to make sense sometimes. Data were collected through semistructured interviews. Findings revealed that Doreen recognised the meaning of multiplication as the notion “of” in the contexts of fractions. Both of them rote learned the mathematical procedures in the multiplication of fractions and decimals and they could not make sense of them. One of the main reasons for this was because they were not aware of the changes of mathematical meanings across different contexts.