Teacher Problem Solving Course

Aims:

• Provide hands-on training to teachers by exposing them to a variety of problem solving strategies and techniques.

• Enhance the problem solving skills of teachers and also improve their skill of solving Olympiad type problems.

• To foster within teachers an appreciation for solving mathematical problems.

Teachers can register to do the short course at their own time, i.e. distance education for the following levels:

GET Level 1
GET Level 2
GET Level 3
FET Level 1
DVD Entry form

You receive the resource material consisting of booklet and DVD. You have to submit an assignment and test. The test has to be administered by your Principal. You have a month to complete the course.

Complete the DVD entry form and submit with proof of payment to ramabokad@samf.ac.za or register on-line on Zibuza.net - an online cummunity for South African teachers.

The course consists of the following levels:

Primary (Grades 4 - 7)
Learning about problem solving (strategies, specialisation and generalisation, induction and deduction). Medium through which the course is presented is through problem solving, i.e. teachers learn to solve problems by problem solving. The end objective is that teachers will enter and prepare their learners for the South African Mathematics Challenge.
GET Level 1
Introduction to problem solving strategies; offered to all teachers who are doing the course for the first time. The course comprises of the Junior First Round questions of the South African Mathematics Olympiad and involves a range of problem solving strategies.
GET Level 2
Offered to all teachers who have passed GET Level 1 or FET Level 1. The course comprises of the Junior Second Round questions of the South African Mathematics Olympiad and involves a range of problem solving strategies.
GET Level 3
Offered to all teachers who have passed GET Level 1, GET Level 2 or FET Level 1. The course comprises of the Junior Third Round questions of the South African Mathematics Olympiad and involves a range of advanced problem solving strategies including producing a convincing proof or argument to substantiate a certain conclusion.
FET Level 1

Offered to all teachers who have passed GET Level 1. The course comprises of the Senior First Round questions of the South African Mathematics Olympiad and involves a range of problem solving strategies.

Format:

Teachers will be offered a short course live in any area of South Africa where a group of at least 20 teachers are showing interest in the programme. The course will be spread over two Saturdays at a venue close to the teachers. A training manual will be provided to teachers to support reflection and self -study. Teachers not close to a main venue or those who prefer to do the course at their own time can register for the DVD version of the programme. It is mandatory for all teachers to do GET level 1 first as many of the strategies are expanded in the subsequent levels.

Assessment & Certification:

Assessment will take on the form of a test which will inform the process of awarding Certificates of Achievement.

The teachers will be awarded certificates as follows:

• 50% and above but less than 75% will receive a pass certificate.

• 75% and above will receive a merit certificate.

Attendance of at least one session and a writing of the test will be compulsory to obtain a participation certificate.

All levels are endorsed by the South African Council of Educators and can be used for continuous professional development (10 CPD points per level).