Skip to main content

Intervening in the Learning and Teaching of Numeracy in Contexts of Poverty

  • Chapter
  • First Online:

Abstract

This chapter provides a commentary on the Mathematics Education and Numeracy Chairs initiative in South Africa. The discussion is located, in the first instance, in the context of primary mathematics as an under-researched field in South Africa, and further in the ways in which South African research in this area speaks to and informs broader contexts of Research and Development (R&D) in developing contexts, marked as they typically are, by scarce and inequitable distribution of resources. In particular, the discussion engages with the question of what the ‘local’ research presented in this book, focused as it is on teaching and learning in ‘schools for the poor’ in South Africa, might offer the global community.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution.

Buying options

Chapter
USD   29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD   84.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Hardcover Book
USD   109.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Learn about institutional subscriptions

References

  • Adler, J., & Alshwaik (in press) Mathematics education research in South Africa: A review and critical reflection. African Journal for Research in Mathematics, Science and Technology Education.

    Google Scholar 

  • Adler, J., & Pillay, V. (2017). Mathematics education in South Africa. In J. Adler & A. Sfard (Eds.), Research for educational change: Transforming researchers’ insights into improvement in mathematics teaching and learning. pp. 9–24 Abingdon: Routledge.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bartolini-Bussi, M. G., & Sun, X. (in press). (Eds.). Building the foundation: Whole numbers in the primary grades. In The 23rd ICMI study (New ICMI Studies series). Springer International Publishing.

    Google Scholar 

  • Coleman, J., Campbell, B., Hobson, C., McPartland, J., Mood, A., Winefeld, F., et al. (1966). Equality of educational opportunity report. Retrieved from Washington, DC.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gamoran, A., & Long, D. A. (2006). Equality of educational opportunity: A 40-year retrospective (Working Paper 2006–9). Retrieved from Madison, WI.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hoadley, U. (2010). What do we know about teaching and learning in primary schools in South Africa? A review of the classroom-based research literature. A report for the Grade3 improvement project of the University of Stellenbosch, supported by the Western Cape Education Department and the Western Cape Provincial Government. Retrieved from http://nicspaull.files.wordpress.com/2011/hoadley-2010-wced-project-literature-review-final.pdf

  • Morrow, W. (2007). Learning to teach in South Africa. Pretoria: Human Science Research Council.

    Google Scholar 

  • Shalem, Y., & Hoadley, U. (2009). The dual economy of schooling and teacher morale in South Africa. International Studies in Sociology of Education, 19(2), 119–134. doi:10.1080/09620210903257224.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Spaull, N., & Kotze, J. (2015). Starting behind and staying behind: The case of insurmountable learning deficits in South Africa. International Journal of Educational Development, 41, 13–24.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Taylor, N., van der Berg, S., & Mabogoane, T. (Eds.). (2013). Creating effecitve schools. Cape Town: Pearson.

    Google Scholar 

  • Venkat, H., Adler, J., Rollnick, M., Setati, M., & Vhurumuku, E. (2009). Mathematics and science education research, policy and practice in South Africa: What are the relationships? African Journal of Research in Mathematics, Science and Technology Education, 13(1), 5–27.

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

Copyright information

© 2017 The Author(s)

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Adler, J. (2017). Intervening in the Learning and Teaching of Numeracy in Contexts of Poverty. In: Graven, M., Venkat, H. (eds) Improving Primary Mathematics Education, Teaching and Learning. Palgrave Studies in Excellence and Equity in Global Education. Palgrave Macmillan, London. https://doi.org/10.1057/978-1-137-52980-0_1

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1057/978-1-137-52980-0_1

  • Published:

  • Publisher Name: Palgrave Macmillan, London

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-137-52979-4

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-137-52980-0

  • eBook Packages: EducationEducation (R0)

Publish with us

Policies and ethics