Past studies revealed that the integration of ethnomathematics approaches is of great importance in the teaching and learning of mathematics as it is believed to improve learners' understanding and achievement in mathematics. Cognisant of the benefits of using ethnomathematics approaches in teaching and learning mathematics, the Zimbabwean school syllabus recommends the adoption and integration of ethnomathematics approaches to improve the learners' performance. The purpose of this mixed-method study was to determine the comparative effectiveness of ethnomathematics approaches and the traditional lecture approaches as well as teachers' views on the use of ethnomathematics approaches. The study sample comprised 90 learners and two teachers from one secondary school in Bindura district in Zimbabwe. Two instruments, a test and interviews were used for data collection. The participating teachers taught the concepts of consumer arithmetic for four weeks. Findings of the study showed that learners taught using an ethnomathematics approach achieved significantly higher in the test than those taught consumer arithmetic using the traditional approach. The study revealed that teachers appreciated the use of ethnomathematics approaches in the teaching of consumer arithmetic as their learners were motivated, actively involved and interested in learning the concepts. It was also reported that ethnomathematics approaches improve learners' understanding and retention of arithmetic concepts. The study, therefore, recommended training of the teachers on the use of the ethnomathematics approach in the teaching and learning of consumer arithmetic.

This paper reports on a study of the implementation of science teacher education through virtual and open distance learning in the Mashonaland Central Province, Zimbabwe. The study provides insight into challenges faced by students and lecturers on inception of the program at four centres. Data was collected from completed evaluation survey forms of forty-two lecturers who were directly involved at the launch of the program and in-depth interviews. Qualitative data analysis revealed that the programme faces potential threat from centre-, institution-, lecturer-, and student-related factors. These include limited resources, large classes, inadequate expertise in open and distance education, inappropriate science teacher education qualifications, implementer conflict of interest in program participation, students’ low self-esteem, lack of awareness of quality parameters of delivery systems among staff, and lack of standard criteria to measure the quality of services. The paper recommends that issues raised be addressed in order to produce quality teachers.

Geometry is an essential component of mathematics which promotes the development of critical thinking and problem-solving skills. Geometry shapes are an integral part of our lives. This study focused on the teachers’ practices, specifically on how teachers ought to be equipped with a good understanding on the effectiveness of the use of use of diagrams in geometry teaching and learning. A mixed method approach comprising of questionnaires and interviews was used in this study. Ninety-one teachers participated in this study. The research findings were categorized using the four themes of utility, positive attitudes, negative attitudes, and teachers’ use of diagrams in geometry class.  The study showed that diagrams are effective in the teaching and learning of geometry concepts. It is recommended that teachers could do well if they make use of technology in designing diagrams to be used in the teaching and learning of geometry.

The study comprised thirteen pre-service teachers who were purposely sampled. Even though there are different online platforms that the pre-service teachers could have used, they all delivered their lessons through WhatsApp because of the several benefits attached to it such as ease and flexibility to use, low cost of WhatsApp bundles, various functions and the fact that it can be used anywhere at any time. The pre-service teachers faced several challenges during peer teaching using WhatsApp such as lack of smartphones, a flood of messages, human interruption, unavailability of electricity and internet and the nature of mathematics concepts. Difficulty in maintaining discipline, assessing learners’ progress was also difficult and it was time-consuming to prepare and deliver lessons using WhatsApp. The pre-service teachers suggested that the prices of online devices such as smartphones and WIFI should be subsidized. In addition, they suggested that lessons should be recorded for the learners and that parents should be involved in their children’s learning by encouraging them to provide online tools and educating them on online teaching and learning. The study recommends that pre-service teachers need to be trained on the use of online platforms so that they are equipped for any eventuality such as the COVID- 19 pandemic.

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