Teachers views on the extent of basic operations-games usage for enhancing development of learners' mathematical language: case of Mochudi Primary Schools

Abstract

The purpose of this research was to investigate primary school teachers‟ views on the extent to which basic operations games are used to enhance learners‟ development of the mathematical language.Research has shown that learners‟ performance in mathematics improves when games are used to teach the subject. Data for this study was collected from Mochudi primary schools. Questionnaires and interviews were used to collect this data. Sixty three primary school teachers answered a questionnaire while eleven Heads of Departments were interviewed. A mixed method designwas then used to analyse data. The results of this study revealed that primary school teachers in Mochudi rarely use basic operations games to teach mathematics. Reasons for usage and non-usage of basic operations games in mathematics teaching were also revealed. Teachers use basic operations games to arouse learner interest and also to make mathematics lessons learner centred. Reasons for not using basic operations games were that schools do not have resources required to play games and also that games are time consuming.This suggests that primary school teachers should be supported andencouraged to use basic operations games to teach mathematics. The Ministry of Basic education should emphasize game enhanced learning in primary schools and also provide resources necessary for learners to use during gaming.