National Statement On Mathematics For Australian Schools

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Chapter 2: Literature review
2.1 Introduction
Van de Walle et al. (2013 p.375) suggested that measurement is not an easy topic for students to understand. They further stated that measurement is one of the useful mathematics content strands, as it is an important component in everything from occupational tasks to life skills for the mathematically literate citizen.
2.1.1 Introduction to the concept of measurement
Numerous factors contribute to learners understanding of the topic of measurement. A National Statement on Mathematics for Australian Schools (1991), states that measurement requires students to develop dexterity in the use of range of measuring instruments. Making sense of measurement also requires learners to develop personal referents …show more content…

The researcher concluded that there was a reluctance to teach measurement concepts by primary teachers and that this may stem from contextual constraints including teacher knowledge.
2.2 Theoretical framework
The theory supporting the study is constructivism, Janet G. (2004) defined constructivism as a philosophy of education that says people construct knowledge through their experiences, reflecting on those experiences and interacting with the world. He further suggested that constructivism help learners pursue personal interests and purposes, use and develop his or her abilities, build on his or her prior knowledge and experiences and develop life-long learning.
Brookes (1999) as cited by Janet (2004) suggested that constructivism is a process that helps learners to develop their own goals and assessments, create understandings via coaching and control learning …show more content…

In a constructivism classroom, teachers and learners share responsibilities and decision making. Teachers pose problems of emerging relevance to learners, emphasise hands-on, real-world experiences, seek and value learners’ point of view and social context of content. Christie (2005) suggested that constructivism is applied in a classroom whereby teachers structure around, essential concepts, be aware that learners’ point of view are windows into their reasoning, access learners learning in context of teaching.
A constructivism classroom is a learner-centred classroom. Christie (2005) emphasised that constructivism encourages teachers to provide for each learners preferred learning style, provide rate of learning and personal interactions with other learners, use authentic tasks, experiences, settings, assessments and context presented holistically-not in separate parts.
In connection to this study, constructivism plays a crucial role when it comes to learners understanding and manipulating of mathematical problems and develop a sense in

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