The aim of this study was to describe ways in which Grade 1 teachers use creative teaching practice in Mathematics. An interpretivistic approach was used with qualitative research principles guiding the research process. The research design was a case study design. Three primary school teachers at an Afrikaans private school were purposefully selected. A multi-method approach to data gathering was taken. Firstly, the Curriculum and Assessment Policy Statement (Foundation Phase): Mathematics was analysed to determine the guidelines of the Department of Basic Education regarding creative teaching practice in Mathematics. Secondly, the three participants each made a visual representation (poster) of their understanding of creative teaching practice in Mathematics, where after each participant's poster was discussed with her. Thirdly, a total of five Mathematics lessons were observed and one semi-structured interview was conducted with each participant. Fourthly, personal opinions, reflective thoughts and impressions of the research study were noted in the researcher's research journal. Results were derived from inductive thematic analysis of the documented data. After member checking, four themes were identified. Firstly, some fundamental principles for the use of creative teaching practice in Mathematics were deducted, which included sensitivity for learner differences, the use and development of learners' current knowledge, active learner participation in lessons, interest and joy in Mathematics lessons, and the inclusion of the life world of the learners in the Mathematics lessons. Secondly, the participants suggested possible implementation strategies for creative teaching practice in Mathematics, namely the implementation of problem solving skills, concrete experiences and resources, group learning and social interaction. Thirdly, some teacher qualities that promote creative teaching practice in Mathematics were indicated, namely teachers as specialist subject experts in Mathematics, motivators of learners, creators of a positive learning and teaching environment, interpreters and designers of learning programmes and material, and adaptability. The fourth theme emphasized the challenges regarding the use of creative teaching practice in Mathematics where environmental factors were indicated. Based on the findings the conclusion can be made that domain relevant skills, skills regarding creativity, intrinsic task motivation and the social environment are components that can be incorporated to promote the successful use of creative teaching practice in Mathematics.
Die doel van hierdie studie was om te beskryf op welke wyses Graad 1-onderwysers kreatiewe onderrig in Wiskunde gebruik. Die studie is vanuit 'n interpretivistiese benadering onderneem met kwalitatiewe navorsingsbeginsels wat die navorsingsproses onderlê het. 'n Gevalstudie-ontwerp is as navorsingsontwerp gebruik. Drie laerskoolonderwysers, verbonde aan 'n Afrikaanse privaatskool, is deur 'n gerieflikheidseleksie geselekteer. Data is deur 'n multi-metodiese benadering versamel. Eerstens is die Curriculum and Assessment Policy Statement (Foundation Phase): Mathematics ge-analiseer, om sodoende die Department van Basiese Onderwys se riglyne betreffende kreatiewe onderrigpraktyk in Wiskunde te identifiseer. Tweedens het die drie deelnemers elk 'n visuele voorstelling (plakkaat) gemaak wat hul begrip aangaande kreatiewe onderrigpraktyk in Wiskunde uitbeeld, waarna elke deelnemer se plakkaat met haar bespreek is. Derdens is vyf Wiskunde-lesse in totaal waargeneem en een semi-gestruktureerde onderhoud met elke deelnemer gevoer. Vierdens is persoonlike opinies, reflektiewe gedagtes en indrukke van die navorsingstudie aangeteken in die navorser se navorsingsjoernaal. Induktiewe tematiese analise van die gedokumenteerde data het gedien as basis vir die resultate. Deelnemerkontrole is uitgevoer en vier temas is geïdentifiseer. Eerstens is van die fundamentele beginsels vir die gebruik in kreatiese onderrigpraktyk in Wiskunde afgelei, wat insluit sensitiwiteit vir leerderverskille, die gebruik en ontwikkeling van leerders se bestaande kennis, aktiewe leerderbetrokkenheid by lesaanbieding, interessantheid en genotvolheid van Wiskunde-lesse, en die insluiting van leerders se leefwêreld by Wiskunde-lesse. Tweedens het die deelnemers moontlike implementeringstrategieë vir kreatiewe onderrigpraktyk in Wiskunde aangedui, naamlik die implementering van probleemoplossingsvaardighede, konkrete ervaringe en hulpbronne, groepsleer en sosiale interaksie. Derdens is sommige onderwyserkwaliteite ter bevordering van kreatiewe onderrigpraktyk in Wiskunde aangedui, naamlik onderwysers as spesialis vakkenners in Wiskunde, leerder-motiveerders, skeppers van 'n positiewe leer- en onderrigomgewing, interpreteerders en ontwerpers van leerprogramme en -materiaal, en aanpasbaarheid. Die vierdie tema het die uitdagings rondom die gebruik van kreatiewe onderrigpraktyk in Wiskunde beklemtoon, waar onder andere omgewingsfaktore aangedui is. Op grond van die bevindinge kan die gevolgtrekking gemaak word dat domein-relevante vaardighede, kreatiwiteitsvaardighede, intrinsieke taakmotivering en die sosiale omgewing komponente van die samestellende teorie van kreatiwiteit (Amabile, 2012) is, wat ingesluit kan word om die suksesvolle gebruik van kreatiewe onderrigpraktyk in Wiskunde te bevorder.
