Title:
PREVALENCE OF TEACHER CALCULATOR UTILISATION IN MATHEMATICS CLASSROOMS: CASE OF NYANGA DISTRICT SECONDARY SCHOOLS, ZIMBABWE

Authors:
Stanford Satambara and Emmanuel Chinamasa

Abstract:
This study established the prevalence of calculators in mathematics classes at O-level inNyanga district. How they are being used and factors influencing their current application as a basis for the district’s schools technology use planning. The study was guided by the pragmatism philosophy to facilitate data collection and presentation by mixed methods. Data was collected from a census of the 34 secondary schools in Nyanga district comprising of 5 boarding and 29 rural day secondary schools. A purposive sample of 43 mathematics teachers and 95 O-level students responded to a questionnaire. 17 mathematics lessons were observed and followed up by in-depth interviews with teachers and students on the use of calculators. Teachers’ schemes and ZIMSEC syllabus were analysed. The study found(62%) prevalence for calculator use in mathematics syllabus 4028. Boarding and private colleges’pupils used calculators. More girls than boys had calculators. Although all teachers reported willingto use the calculator, 15 (35%) reported, not have a personal calculator. That doubted the mathematics teacher’s interest in using the calculator. Study found five calculator models in use. The majority used the SHARP model. ZIMSEC disallowed the graphic FX-CG50 because of its complexity. Calculators were used for computation ( , r2) and evaluation for logarithmsand trigonometry ratios such as( Sin ). Factors include; lack of financial resources for day school students, limited teacher commitment for calculator use, low teacher technical know-how of using calculator for instruction, no supportive teacher development material on how to use calculators. ZIMSEC limits use of calculators, mathematics text books do not show how calculators can be used for instruction. Study recommends use of a single calculator model as a district policy, calls for a teacher handbook for the use of calculators for instruction and mathematics teachers’ staff development