When embarking on our journey of learning in mathematics, we may envision a linear path of modules for acquiring mathematical knowledge and understanding to reach a predetermined outcome. However, this is a partial representation since the outcome and path are developing and adapting and our learning is continuously emerging. In this paper, our…

Students that classify as having growth mindsets rather than fixed mindsets enjoy greater academic success. This finding has been repeated in a variety of contexts and encourages teachers and researchers to develop growth mindsets in students. However, neutral and negative conclusions from some mindset intervention studies raise questions about…

We are four academics teaching mathematics at three different higher education institutions over two continents. Through fortnightly meetings to research how our practices changed as a result of the COVID-19 lockdowns, we formed a community of practice. The process of articulating our experiences and ideas, and reflecting on the recorded meetings…

Recreating the social aspects of face-to-face teaching in an online environment became more challenging in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. With limited or no face-to-face interaction with students, lecturers had to explore alternative ways to recreate aspects of an engaging and supportive face-to-face learning environment. This article focuses…

The concept of the limit is often experienced as a very abstract concept. In this study we explore the understanding of the concept of the limit with 74 students who are prospective high school mathematics teachers. The study is located within the first of three calculus courses which they study as part of their bachelor's degree in education at a…

Some pre-service mathematics teachers in South Africa are nervous about the content of Euclidean geometry because they did not study Euclidean geometry in high school but will be expected to teach same when they start their teaching career. Because of this, graduating pre-service mathematics teachers were enrolled for a six-week intervention…

This study used a modified mathematical knowledge for teaching (MKT) framework to compare the "common content knowledge" (CCK) of two groups of purposively selected pre-service primary mathematics teachers (n = 86) in relation to spatial visualization. Specifically, thirty-five pre-service teachers (n[subscript 1] = 35) with a pure…

This study investigated the developmental influence of collaborative games, in the form of game-based worksheets, on the performance and attitudes of sixth-graders in the mathematics classroom. It is posited that games have the potential to enhance learning through positive emotional experiences. Non-digital game-based learning methodologies are…

The field of mathematics education has seen an increase in research focused on the concept of identity, with many researchers focusing on the role of teacher pedagogies in shaping learners' identities and their participation in and engagement with mathematics. In this paper, the actual and narrated practices of two teachers, which incorporate…

A widely used instrument was implemented to ascertain the mathematical modelling competency displayed by a cohort of South African learners in grade 10 and grade 12 of the school mathematics programme in South Africa. The cohort comprised 471 grade 10 and 200 grade 12 learners from schools serving learners from low socio-economic status…

This paper focuses on the students who are registered in the University of Pretoria's academic development programme, named the Four-year Programme (FYP). The programme was introduced as a gateway for students who are underprepared but have the potential to succeed and then continue their studies into the mainstream science programmes. Our…

The purpose of this case study is to explore the integration of technology into teaching at a mathematics department at a large South African University. Both quantitative and qualitative data were collected from staff teaching undergraduate mathematics. The study shows that many staff members feel that chalkboards are still more suitable than…

Paying attention to the planning of lessons represents a crucial teaching task. This paper analyses teachers' framing of lesson objectives and their descriptions of how they would introduce particular mathematics topics. Connections between the objectives and the instructional strategies employed, were also studied. The study involved 75 South…

This study focuses on the mathematics department at a South African university and in particular on teaching of calculus to first year engineering students. The paper reports on a cause-effect analysis, often used for business improvement. The cause-effect analysis indicates that there are many factors that impact on secondary school teaching of…

Inflation rates are often reported in the media and interpreted differently by various people. The purpose of the study was to explore mathematical literacy teachers' written responses to questions based on the concept of percentage increase and inflation. The participants were a group of 59 in-service South African teachers who were enrolled on a…