Teaching and learning mathematics at Sixth Form level : students' and teachers' views

Abstract

Our study sets out to explore teachers' and students' experiences concerning the teaching and learning of mathematics at sixth form level, particularly, with regards to the option of Pure Mathematics at advanced and intermediate levels. We conducted our qualitative research with teachers and students at a private sixth form, using classroom observations and one-to-one semi-structured in depth interviews. Our findings show that teachers appear to use a teaching style, albeit different from each other, which they think would benefit their students' learning. A position sustained by their respective students. Moreover, advanced and intermediate level students seem to view their mathematics option in a rather different way. This emerges both at the motivational level (with advanced level students tending to be more intrinsically motivated), and the way they set out to learn the subject (with advanced level students tending to seek a deeper understanding).