The impact of grade 10 learners' behaviour on their academic performance in mathematics

Abstract

The aim of this study was to identify types of behaviour manifested by learners during mathematics instruction, and the impact that this behaviour might have on the mathematics performance of learners. The study was conducted in Far East cluster of Johannesburg East District, in the province of Gauteng, South Africa. At the time of the study the Far East cluster of Johannesburg East District consisted of a population of seven public high schools, of which two schools were randomly sampled to participate in the study. Participants consisted of (n=10) Grade 10 mathematics learners, 2 mathematics teachers and 2 heads of mathematics departments (HODs). Data from learners were collected using a set of their assessment scores accumulated over a period of six months, that is, from January 2014 to June 2014 (Section 1.3.3). Also, semi-structured interviews were carried out with learners to determine types of classroom behaviour they perceived to influence their mathematical performance. The aim of documenting learners‟ assessment scores (document analysis) was to determine their average performance in Grade 10 mathematics over a stipulated period. Teachers and HODs completed questionnaires to identify types of classroom behaviour that learners manifested during mathematics instruction. The study followed a qualitative approach with phenomenology research design (Section 3.2). The study identified several types of classroom behaviour that characterized mathematics instruction in both schools, such as making noise and not doing classwork and homework activities. In addition, the study established that forms of behavioural patterns that are manifested by learners during a mathematics instruction influenced their performance in the subject. Huitt‟s (1997) model was used to conceptualize and interpret the results.