Challenges faced in using student-centered approaches in teaching mathematics for key stage two and its' impact to the students / Aminath Ahmed

Abstract

This study aimed at investigating the challenges teachers face in using student centered teaching methods in Mathematics classrooms. This qualitative case study explored 5 Mathematic teachers" views about challenges in teaching and learning using student-centered approaches and their impacts on students. The result shows that teachers are facing challenges at different levels ranging from administrators, teachers themselves and students. From school administrative side, implementing a new curriculum and having less number of periods allocated for Mathematics was a huge challenge as teachers find it difficult to cover the syllabus within the time frame of an academic year. Poor time management by school administrators is a challenge in conducting student centered activities. Results also shows that teachers are finding extremely difficult to use different student-centered learning approaches due to the student teacher ratio and with the range of mixed ability groups of students in the class. In addition, lacking students' prior knowledge seems to be a challenge related to students. Literature review indicated that scaffolding is necessary and learning should occur in ZPD to help students make sense of new situations and build on prior knowledge as in student-centered learning students need to be working as active participants in knowledge construction. This study suggests that teachers acknowledge the use of student centered learning methods enhances students' academic performance and thereby improves the problem solving and critical thinking and also boosts students' confidence