Does Social Class Influence Learner Reasoning in Geometry?

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Dr. Jayaluxmi Naidoo
Dr. Jayaluxmi Naidoo
α University of KwaZulu-Natal University of KwaZulu-Natal

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Does Social Class Influence Learner Reasoning in Geometry?

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Abstract

The purpose of this study was to explore the influence of social class on learners’ reasoning in geometry in South Africa. The fieldwork for this study was conducted in two schools in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN), South Africa. The schools will be referred to as Green Park High and Bleak Stone High. Green Park High was a predominantly middle-class school whilst Bleak Stone High was a predominantly workingclass school. Data from 160 Grade 12 mathematics learners was collected through a questionnaire, and 24 of these learners completed a geometry evaluation worksheet. The 24 learners were interviewed using a semi-structured interview schedule. Themes and patterns were identified and linked to the conceptual framework of the study. The findings of the study demonstrate that while the learners from both workingclass and middle-class backgrounds employed similar techniques when solving geometry problems, their methods, logic and geometric reasoning differed considerably. It was also found that learners in this study conformed to the majority social class group with which they associated.

References

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Funding

No external funding was declared for this work.

Conflict of Interest

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Ethical Approval

No ethics committee approval was required for this article type.

Data Availability

Not applicable for this article.

How to Cite This Article

Dr. Jayaluxmi Naidoo. 2013. \u201cDoes Social Class Influence Learner Reasoning in Geometry?\u201d. Global Journal of Medical Research - K: Interdisciplinary GJMR-K Volume 13 (GJMR Volume 13 Issue K3): .

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Journal Specifications

Crossref Journal DOI 10.17406/gjmra

Print ISSN 0975-5888

e-ISSN 2249-4618

Version of record

v1.2

Issue date

August 5, 2013

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en
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The purpose of this study was to explore the influence of social class on learners’ reasoning in geometry in South Africa. The fieldwork for this study was conducted in two schools in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN), South Africa. The schools will be referred to as Green Park High and Bleak Stone High. Green Park High was a predominantly middle-class school whilst Bleak Stone High was a predominantly workingclass school. Data from 160 Grade 12 mathematics learners was collected through a questionnaire, and 24 of these learners completed a geometry evaluation worksheet. The 24 learners were interviewed using a semi-structured interview schedule. Themes and patterns were identified and linked to the conceptual framework of the study. The findings of the study demonstrate that while the learners from both workingclass and middle-class backgrounds employed similar techniques when solving geometry problems, their methods, logic and geometric reasoning differed considerably. It was also found that learners in this study conformed to the majority social class group with which they associated.

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Does Social Class Influence Learner Reasoning in Geometry?

Dr. Jayaluxmi Naidoo
Dr. Jayaluxmi Naidoo University of KwaZulu-Natal

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