Exploring mathematical values held by high school mathematics teachers

Abstract This study explored mathematical values espoused by senior high school (SHS) mathematics teachers in mathematics teaching and learning in a municipality in Ghana. To achieve this aim, we employed an explanatory sequential mixed methods design. In the quantitative study, a census was employe...

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Main Authors: Esenam Dorwu, Francis Kwadwo Awuah, Patrick Kyeremeh
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Springer 2025-03-01
Series:Discover Education
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1007/s44217-025-00457-y
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author Esenam Dorwu
Francis Kwadwo Awuah
Patrick Kyeremeh
author_facet Esenam Dorwu
Francis Kwadwo Awuah
Patrick Kyeremeh
author_sort Esenam Dorwu
collection DOAJ
description Abstract This study explored mathematical values espoused by senior high school (SHS) mathematics teachers in mathematics teaching and learning in a municipality in Ghana. To achieve this aim, we employed an explanatory sequential mixed methods design. In the quantitative study, a census was employed to include all 53 SHS mathematics teachers in a municipality. For the qualitative phase, purposive sampling was used to select six SHS mathematics teachers recruited to complete a ‘What I Find Important (WIFI) in my mathematics learning’ questionnaire in the quantitative phase to participate in interviews. The quantitative data were analyzed using inferential statistics (principal components analysis [PCA] with Oblimin rotation and one-way multivariate analysis of variance [MANOVA]). On the other hand, the qualitative data were analyzed using a thematic analysis. Among Bishop’s six-value cluster, the findings revealed that SHS mathematics teachers preferred mathematical values of rationalism, progress, and control in mathematics teaching. Notwithstanding, there was no statistically significant disparity in what SHS mathematics teachers value across class levels. Implications for practice and future research are reported.
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spelling doaj-art-ca8fcf828d34416da8cca33534f249602025-08-20T02:41:34ZengSpringerDiscover Education2731-55252025-03-014111610.1007/s44217-025-00457-yExploring mathematical values held by high school mathematics teachersEsenam Dorwu0Francis Kwadwo Awuah1Patrick Kyeremeh2Kwame Nkrumah University of Science & TechnologyKwame Nkrumah University of Science & TechnologySt. Joseph’S College of EducationAbstract This study explored mathematical values espoused by senior high school (SHS) mathematics teachers in mathematics teaching and learning in a municipality in Ghana. To achieve this aim, we employed an explanatory sequential mixed methods design. In the quantitative study, a census was employed to include all 53 SHS mathematics teachers in a municipality. For the qualitative phase, purposive sampling was used to select six SHS mathematics teachers recruited to complete a ‘What I Find Important (WIFI) in my mathematics learning’ questionnaire in the quantitative phase to participate in interviews. The quantitative data were analyzed using inferential statistics (principal components analysis [PCA] with Oblimin rotation and one-way multivariate analysis of variance [MANOVA]). On the other hand, the qualitative data were analyzed using a thematic analysis. Among Bishop’s six-value cluster, the findings revealed that SHS mathematics teachers preferred mathematical values of rationalism, progress, and control in mathematics teaching. Notwithstanding, there was no statistically significant disparity in what SHS mathematics teachers value across class levels. Implications for practice and future research are reported.https://doi.org/10.1007/s44217-025-00457-yMathematical valuesValues in mathematics educationMathematics teachersPrincipal components analysisExplanatory sequential mixed methods
spellingShingle Esenam Dorwu
Francis Kwadwo Awuah
Patrick Kyeremeh
Exploring mathematical values held by high school mathematics teachers
Discover Education
Mathematical values
Values in mathematics education
Mathematics teachers
Principal components analysis
Explanatory sequential mixed methods
title Exploring mathematical values held by high school mathematics teachers
title_full Exploring mathematical values held by high school mathematics teachers
title_fullStr Exploring mathematical values held by high school mathematics teachers
title_full_unstemmed Exploring mathematical values held by high school mathematics teachers
title_short Exploring mathematical values held by high school mathematics teachers
title_sort exploring mathematical values held by high school mathematics teachers
topic Mathematical values
Values in mathematics education
Mathematics teachers
Principal components analysis
Explanatory sequential mixed methods
url https://doi.org/10.1007/s44217-025-00457-y
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