Abstract:

The purpose of the study was to use reflective lesson study to improve metacognitive abilities of mathematics educators for professional development in Motheo district. A qualitative approach was employed for collecting and analysing data in this research as the researcher was interested in the activities of individual teachers to develop the metacognitive abilities for professional growth. Semi-structured interviews and observation were used as data collection instruments to collect data from four mathematics educators selected from four different schools in the district. The researcher used content analysis to analyse data generated from observation and interviews conducted. The conceptual framework that guided this research materialised from the literature reviewed provided the following findings. The study revealed that mathematics teachers can use reflective lesson study to develop their metacognitive abilities when engage themselves in higher other thinking skills through discussion for their professional growth in teaching and learning of mathematics. The findings of the study revealed that if teachers can develop the habits of reflecting on their own teaching, their metacognitive abilities could be improved which lead to new understandings of self as a teacher and new understandings of classroom practice for professional growth. Teachers are of the opinion that planning lessons is very important and that one should prepare before teaching one’s lesson. Teachers stated that making use of appropriate examples and providing learners with opportunities, such as group work where they can share their experiences and meaning making in order to construct their own knowledge and understanding of concepts, is important. It was recommended that teachers should take cognisance of prior knowledge, metacognitive abilities and reflective lesson study when preparing and teaching. It is recommended that workshops in this regard should go a long way to alleviate the problems and encourage innovative teaching to support and improve their professional growth.

Keywords:

Reflective lesson study, learners, teaching and learning, metacognitive abilities, lesson planning.