Functionality of Literacy and Numeracy in First Cycle Primary School: A Look in to the Curriculum and Instructional Process

Sisay Awgichew

Abstract


This article examines the functionality of literacy and numeracy in Addis Ababa city administration. Case study research design was employed and data were collected from 8 actual teachers via interview. Besides, classroom observation and content analysis were employed. The finding revealed that on average 65(59.88%) of mathematics students’ textbook had at least one picture or symbol. Also, 182(44.86%) of activities, examples and question incorporated in the textbooks related with the life of the students. On the other hand, on average 60 (43.02%) of English textbook incorporated at least one picture or symbol. The finding also revealed that 272 (64.61%) of activities and examples, and 19 (63.0%) of stories, poems, songs, and passages included in the English textbooks related with the life of the students. The functionality of the textbooks was average but the instructional methods require improvement.

Keywords


Functionality, Literacy, Numeracy, Curriculum, Instructional Process

Full Text:

PDF

References


Alcock, K., Nokes, K., Ngowi, F., Musabi, C., Mbise, A., Mandali, R., Baddeley, A. (2000). The development of reading tests for use in a regularly spelled language. Applied Psycholinguistics, 21(4), 525-555. Doi: 10.1017/S0142716400004069.

Ashcroft, K., & Palacio, D. (2003). Implementing the Primary Curriculum: A Teacher’s Guide. Taylor & Francis e-Library.

Askew, M. (2010). It isn’t (just) what you do: Effective teachers of numeracy. Issues in teaching numeracy in primary schools (pp. 91-102). McGraw-Hill Education.

Askew, M., Brown, M., Rhodes, V., Johnson, D., & William, D. (1997). Effective teachers of numeracy. King’s College.

Australian Ministry for Education and Training (AMET). (2009). Literacy and Numeracy Strategy 2009–2013. ACT Department of Education and Training. Australian Capital Territory, Canberra. Retrieved from http://www.act.gov.au

Baker, D., Alison, T., & Brian, S. (2005). Navigating Numeracies Home/School Numeracy Practices. Springer.

Bassey, M. (1999). Case study research in educational settings: Doing qualitative research in educational settings. Open University Press.

Bayader, W. S. (2013). The teacher’s role in promoting literacy and numeracy. United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East, Amman 11814, Jordan. Retrieved from: www.unrwa.org

Carla, W. (2008). Introducing Qualitative Research in Psychology (2nd ed.). McGraw-Hill.

Chapman, A., & Lee, A. (1990). Rethinking Literacy and Numeracy. Australian Journal of Education, 34(3), 277-289.

Claire, W., & John, E. (2011). Theoretical Frameworks and Ways of Seeing: Operating at the Intersection-Literacy, Numeracy and Learning Difficulties. In Claire et al. (Eds.). Multiple Perspectives on Difficulties in Learning Literacy and Numeracy. Springer: New York.

Cohen, L., Manion, L., & Morrison, K. (2007). Research Methods in Education (6th ed.). Taylor & Francis e-Library.

Craig, J., & Guzmán, L. (2018). Six Propositions of a Social Theory of Numeracy: Interpreting an Influential Theory of Literacy. Numeracy: Advancing Education in Quantitative Literacy, 11(2).

Creswell, J. W. (2007). Qualitative Inquiry and Research Design. Choosing Among Five Approach (2nd). Sage.

David, J. P., & Amy, R. N. (2015). Early Numeracy and Literacy: Untangling the Relation between Specific Components. Mathematical Thinking and Learning, 17(2-3), 197-218, Routledge, Retrieved from: https://www.researchgate.net

Glenn, A., (2009). Document Analysis as a Qualitative Research Method, Qualitative Research Journal, 9(2), 27-40. DOI10.3316/QRJ0902027

Government of South Australia. (2013). Literacy + Numeracy: A literacy and numeracy strategy from birth to 18, Department for Education & Child Development. Retrieved from www.decd.sa.gov.au/numeracyandliteracy

Hayes, D. (2006). Primary Education: The Key Concepts. Routledge: New York

Hsieh, H., Shannon, S. E., & Shannon, S. E. (2005). Qualitative health research. Qualitative Health Research, 15(9), 1277-1288.

Irish Department of Education and Skills (IDES). (2011). Literacy and Numeracy for Learning and Life: the National Strategy to Improve Literacy and Numeracy among Children and Young People 2011-2020. Dublin: Ireland.

Johnston, J. (2012). Literacy and numeracy strategy directions 2012-2013. Canberra: Education and Training Directorate.

Kothari, C. R. (2004). Research Methodology; methods and techniques (2nd ed.). New Age International.

Lamb, S. (1997). School Achievement and Initial Education and Labor Market Outcomes, LSAY Research Report No. 4, ACER.

Larson, J., & Jackie, M. (2005). Making Literacy Real: Theories and Practices for Learning and Teaching. SAGE Publications.

Meiers, M., Khoo, S., Rowe, K., Stephanou, A., Anderson, P., Nolan, K. (2006). Growth in Literacy and Numeracy in the First Three Years of School. ACER Research Monograph No. 61. Australian Council for Educational Research.

MoE. (2008G.C/2001 E.C). English for Ethiopia student’s textbook grade 1. Alabama A & M University, School of education Huntsville, Alabama, USA. In collaboration with FDRE, MoE, CDICP, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

MoE (2009). Curriculum Framework for Ethiopian Education (KG – Grade 12). FDRE, MoE, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

MoE. (2011G.C/2004 E.C). English for Ethiopia student’s textbook grade 2. Alabama A&M University, school of education Huntsville, Alabama, USA. In collaboration with FDRE, MoE, CDICP, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

MoE. (2011G.C/2004 E.C). English for Ethiopia student’s textbook grade 3. Alabama A&M University, school of education Huntsville, Alabama, USA. In collaboration with FDRE, MoE, CDICP, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

MoE. (2011G.C/2004 E.C). English for Ethiopia student’s textbook grade 4. Alabama A&M University, school of education Huntsville, Alabama, USA. In collaboration with FDRE, MoE, CDICP, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

MoE. (2015). Education Sector Development Programme V (ESDP V 2015/16 - 2019/20) Action Plan, Addis Ababa Ethiopia.

Moyles, J., & Hargreaves, L. (Ed.). (2003).The Primary Curriculum: Learning from International Perspectives. Taylor & Francis.

Mussa, M., &. Vicent, N. A. (2016). Exploring Literacy and Numeracy Teaching in Tanzanian Classrooms: Insights from Teachers’ Classroom Practices. Journal of Education and Practice, 7(9).

Northern Ireland Audit Office (NIAO). (2013). Improving literacy and numeracy achievement in schools. Retrieved from: http://www.niauditoffice.gov.uk/literacy_and_numeracy_2.pdf

Ollerton, M. (2010). Using problem-solving approaches to learn mathematics. Ian Thompson. (Ed.). Issues in teaching numeracy in primary schools. McGraw-Hill.

Osekhebhen, E. (2017). Determinants of Learning among Primary School Children in Ethiopia: Analysis of Round 2 & 3 of Young Lives. African Development Review, 29(2), 237–248.

Piper, B., Zuilkowski, S. S., Dubeck, M., Jepkemei, E., & King, S. J. (2018). Identifying the essential ingredients to literacy and numeracy improvement: Teacher professional development and coaching, student textbooks, and structured teachers’ guides. World Development, 106, 324-336.

Roskos, K. A., Christie, J. F., & Richgels, D. J. (2003). The essentials of early literacy instruction. Young Children, 58(2), 52-60. National Association for the Education of Young Children. Retrieved from https://www.jstor.org

Ruzlan, M.A., Hamida, B. A. K., & Fahainis, M. Y. (2016). Experienced Primary School Teachers’ Thoughts on Effective Teachers of Literacy and Numeracy. Malaysian Journal of Learning and Instruction, 13, 43-62

Solberg, M. T. (2017). The Differentiated English Classroom Teachers’ approaches to differentiated instruction in group lessons in lower secondary school [Unpublished MA paper]. Trykk: Reprosentralen, Universiteteti Oslo.

State of Victoria Department of Education and Training (SVDET). (2017). Literacy and Numeracy Strategy. The Education State. V.1.

Stephanie, G., & C. Wyatt-Smith. (2011). Learning Difficulties, Literacy and Numeracy: Conversations across the Fields. C. Wyatt-Smith et al. (Eds.). Multiple Perspectives on Difficulties in Learning Literacy and Numeracy. Springer.

Tout, D., Gary M., & David L. (2006). Foundation Numeracy in Context. ACER Press.

Tulonga, T. U. (2010). An investigation of the coping mechanisms of novice teachers: a study of selected high schools in the Oshikoto Region of Namibia [MA thesis]. Faculty of Education, University of the Western Cape, RSA.

United Nations. (2015). Transforming our world: The 2030 agenda for sustainable development. New York: USA.

US National Reading Panel. (2015). National Reading Panel. Retrieved from https://www.nichd.nih.gov/research/supported/Pages/nrp.aspx

Vieluf, S. et al. (2012). Teaching Practices and Pedagogical Innovation: Evidence from TALIS, OECD Publishing. Retrieved from http://dx.doi.org/10.1787/9789264123540-en

World Bank. (2004). World Development Report: Making Services Work for Poor People. World Bank

Wragg, E. C., Wragg. C. M., Haynes. G. S., & Chamberlin. R. P. (2005). Improving Literacy in the Primary School. Taylor & Francis e-Library.

Yin, R. K. (2003). Case Study research: design and methods (3rd ed.). Sage Publication.

Yvonne, F. (2015). Novice Teachers’ Stories of Solving Problems of Practice [Thesis]. http://scholarcommons.usf.edu/etd/5948




DOI: https://doi.org/10.7575/aiac.ijels.v.10n.3p.101

Refbacks

  • There are currently no refbacks.




Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

2013-2024 (CC-BY) Australian International Academic Centre PTY.LTD.

International Journal of Education and Literacy Studies  

You may require to add the 'aiac.org.au' domain to your e-mail 'safe list’ If you do not receive e-mail in your 'inbox'. Otherwise, you may check your 'Spam mail' or 'junk mail' folders.