Department of Mathematics Education

Prof MG Ngoepe

College of Education
School of Teacher Education
Department: Mathematics Education
Professor
Tel: 012 429 8375
E-mail: ngoepmg@unisa.ac.za

Expertise

  • Continuing professional development for mathematics educators
  • Mathematics Teacher Education

Qualifications

  • Doctor of Mathematics Education from Curtin University of Technology, Perth, Australia. Her doctoral research focus on investigating classroom practices in disadvantaged schools. She was the first woman to graduate in the NRF - Curtin University of technology support programme.
  • Master degree in Mathematics education from the University of Birmingham, UK
  • BEd Hons, University Education Diploma
  • BA at the University of the North. 

Fields of academic interests

Research interest:

  • Teaching practice research in Open Distance Learning (ODL)
  • Classroom practice
  • Professional development of mathematics teachers
  • Curriculum studies
  • Teacher education 

Journal articles

  • Mbajiorgu C.A., Oguttu J.W., Maake M.S., Heeralal P.J.H.; Ngoepe M.G. Masafu M.M.and Kaino L.M. (2014). Factors that Impact on the Teaching and Learning of Agriculture Science in FET Schools in Mpumalanga, South Africa: A Case of Mandlethu FET School; Journal of Human Ecology, 45(2): 137-145
  • Ngoepe, MG & Phoshoko MM ( 2014).Analysis the challenges experienced by distance education pre-service Mathematics students teachers during teaching practice. Pakistan Journal of Social Sciences. In press  
  • Ngoepe MG (2013).Student Teachers' Motives of Becoming Mathematics Teachers: An Exploratory Study; International Journal of Education Sciences (IJES), 6(2) 297-307 
  • Ngoepe MG (2013). Student Teachers’ Perceptions on Mentoring during Field Experiences in an Open Distance Learning Context: Journal of Social Sciences In press
  • Ngoepe MG & Nyaumwe LJ (2012). An analysis of socio-cultural values influencing the development of mathematics teaching  skills of UNISA ODL pre-service teacher’s, Indlinga: African Journal of Indigenous knowledge systems  11(1): 83-92
  • Nyaumwe L. J, Ngoepe M. G, Phoshoko, M. M (2010).Some Pedagogical Tensions in the implementation of the Mathematics Curriculum: Implications for Teacher Education in South Africa. Analytical Reports in International Education (ARIE) Vol. 3. No. 1, June 2010, pp. 63-75
  • Ngoepe MG (2008).Challenges facing black women academics in higher education institutions: A case study. Journal of Educational Studies.1 (7): 50-64 

Paper presentations

Peer reviewed Conferences papers:

  • Nyaumwe L J  & Ngoepe MG (2012)  Exploring the views of mathematics teachers on content excluded in the national curriculum p489-501. 3rd   ISTE International Conference, Kruger National Park, 21-25, October, 2012. pp 489-501, ISBN978-1-86888-721-1
  • Emmanuel Ibeawuchi & Ngoepe Mapula G (2012)Investigating grade 11 learners’ misconceptions in understanding quadratic functions in some South African schools p 414-426. 3rd   ISTE International Conference, Kruger National Park, 21-25, October, 2012.pp 414-416, ISBN978-1-86888-721-1
  • Ngoepe MG, & Nyaumwe, L. J. (2011)Analysis of factors influencing mathematics pre-service teachers’ choices to enroll in an ODL institution 2nd   ISTE International Conference, Kruger National Park, 17-20, October, 2011, pp. 112-121, ISBN ISBN978-1-86888-695-1
  • Nyaumwe, LJ & Ngoepe, MG (2011) Multiple representations of Grade 12 rotation, reflection and translation concepts. Proceedings of the seventeenth Association for Mathematics Education of South Africa (AMESA) p143-153, 11- 15 July University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg
  • Nyaumwe, LJ & Ngoepe, MG (2010) Effective mathematics teachers’ strategies for preparing learners for grade 12 public examinations. Proceedings of the 1st ISTE International Conference, pp 264-270, 18-21 October. Phalaborwa  ISBN 2010 – ISBN978-1-86888-666-1 

Non-refereed papers:

  • Ngoepe MG, & Nyaumwe, LJ (2011) An analysis of socio-cultural values influencing the development of mathematics teaching skills of UNISA ODL pre-service teachers. Proceedings of the 19th SAARMSTE 18-21 January, North-West University Mafikeng Campus
  • Ngoepe MG, & Likando MK (2011) To what extent do students’ conceptions of proof influence the nature of proofs produced in elementary number theory? Proceedings of the 19th SAARMSTE, 18-21 January, North-West University Mafikeng Campus
  • Ngoepe MG (2008). The use on an analytical instrument to evaluate the degree of conceptual teaching in Mathematics in township schools in South Africa. Australian Association Research in Education (AARE) 30 November to 4 December, 2008, Brisbane, website: www.aare.edu.au (NGO08829)
  • Ngoepe, MG & Treagust, David (2007).Identifying assessment practices using an analytical tool in selected South African disadvantagedschools. Association for Research in Education. (AARE), 25-29 November, 2007, The University of Notre dame, Australia  website: www.aare.edu.au (NGO07629)
  • Ngoepe, MG (2005).A glimpse into some classroom interactions in South African township schools. Australian Association for Research in Education. (AARE), 27-2 December, 2005, Paramatta, Sydney. website: www.aare.edu.au (NGO05731).
  • Ngoepe, Mapula G. & Treagust, David (2003).Investigating the classroom practices of secondary mathematics teachers in the township schools of South Africa. Australian Association for Research in Education NZARE/AARE, 29 November- 3 December 2003, Aukland. New Zealand. website: www.aare.edu.au (NGO03582)
  • Grayson, Diane J., & Ngoepe, Mapula G. (2003).A survey of South African mathematics and science teachers’ professional actions and attitudes. Proceedings of the 11th Annual Conference of the Southern African association for research in Mathematics, Science and Technology Education (SAARMSTE), Vol. 2 p.77-83, 11- 15 January, Waterford Kamhlaba, Swaziland.
  • Ngoepe, M. G. (2002).Explanations by mathematics teachers: An analysis. In Anne D. Cockburn and Elena Nardi (Eds). In Proceedings of the 26th Annual conference of the International Group for the Psychology of Mathematics Education, Vol. 1, p. 306.University of East Anglia, Norwich, UK
  • Grayson, D., Onu, Y., Ngoepe, M.G., Masakazu, K. (2001).A comparison of mathematics and Science high school teachers’ attitudes in Japan and South Africa. Proceedings of the 9th Annual Conference of the Southern African association for research in Mathematics, Science and Technology Education (SAARMSTE), p119-129, 17-21 January, University of Eduardo Mondlane, Maputo, Mozambique.
  • Ngoepe, M.G., Grayson, D. J. & Treagust, D.  (2001).Towards establishing a baseline for the professional development of secondary mathematics teachers in South Africa. Australian Association for Research in Education. AARE, 2-6 December, Fremantle, Australia. website: www.aare.edu.au (ngo01735)
  • Ngoepe, M. G. & Grayson, D. J. (2000). How teachers prepare learners for matric examinations: Interviews with mathematics teachers. Proceedings of the 8th Annual Conference of the Southern African association for research in Mathematics and science education (SAARMSE), p400-406, 19-22 January, University of Port Elizabeth.
  • Ngoepe, M. G. (1998). An investigation into the attitudes of student teachers at one college of education in the Northern Province (Former Lebowa homeland) towards mathematics learning and teaching. Proceedings of the 6th Annual Conference of the Southern African association for research in Mathematics and science education (SAARMSE), p. 351-359, 14-17 January, University of South Africa.
    Conferences presented
  • Ngoepe MG (2014).Reflections on the teaching practices of a mathematics teacher: Implications for effective training of mathematics teachers at distance. Teacher education @ a distance conference, Kwa Maritane Bush Lodge, 8-11 April 2014
    Jojo ZMM, Dhlamini JJ, Ngoepe MG & Phoshoko MM (2014).Mathematical proficiency of grade 6 teachers: A case of Gauteng Tshwane East, Teacher education @ a distance conference, Kwa Maritane Bush Lodge, 8-11, 2014
  • M.G. Ngoepe, L.M. Kaino, M.M. Masafu, M.S. Maake, P.J.H. Heeralal, C.A. Mbajiorgu,J.W. Oguttu (2013). Governance and management support for mathematical
    literacy teaching and learning at a school in Mpumalanga province of South Africa
    ISTE International Conference, Kruger National Park, 21-25, October
    MG Ngoepe (2012).  Student teachers’ responses on mentoring during field experiences in an  ODL context. ICPED, Burgers Park Hotel, 6-8 August.
    Kaino, Ngoepe, MG & Phoshoko MM (2011) Teaching mathematics in Open Distance Learning (ODL): some strides and challenges in offering quality programmes at UNISA, School of Education Research conference, 21-22/7/2011
  • Ngoepe MG & Nyaumwe LJ (2011).ODL Mathematics student teachers’ perceptions on the mentoring they received during teaching practice, School of Education Research conference, 21-22/7/2011
  • Nyaumwe L. J., Ngoepe MG., & Phoshoko, M. M (2010). Analysing the challenges experienced by distance education pre-service Mathematics student teachers during teaching practice, LICE,  2010, London
  • Ngoepe MG (2010). Approaches to transform teacher professional development in disadvantaged schools in South Africa, ISFTE, 11- 19 April, 2010, Brazil
  • Ngoepe MG (2009).A critical reflection on the impact of HIV and AIDS pandemic on teacher education in South  Africa,  ISFTE, 2- 9 June, 2009, Utah, USA
  • Ngoepe MG (2008).Training Mathematics Education teachers at distance: reflections on challenges. Teacher Education conference, 1-3 October, UNISA
  • Ngoepe MG  & Ramorola MZ (2008). Acquisition of number skills in the foundation phase, Foundation phase conference, 30 September to 1 October, Polokwane
  • Ngoepe, M.G. (2000).An investigation of teachers’ perceptions of their school environment as a factor conducive to the achievement of exemplary results in matriculation mathematics in South African Schools. Mathematics Education Research Group of Australasia, MERGA 23rd, 5-9 July, Fremantle, Perth, Western Australia.
  • Grayson, D. J., Onu, J., Ngoepe, M. G. (2001).Professional attitudes of mathematics  and science teachers in South Africa and Japan. paper presented at the Third International Conference of the European Science Education Research Association,  ESERA, 21- 24  August, Thessaloniki, Greece,
    Ngoepe, M.G. (2000).An investigation of teachers’ perceptions of their school environment as a factor conducive to the achievement of exemplary results in matriculation mathematics in South African Schools. Mathematics Education Research Group of Australasia, MERGA 23rd, 5-9 July, Fremantle, Perth, Western Australia 

Professional positions, fellowships & awards

Scholarships and grant awards:

  • British Council bursaries for MEd degree in Mathematics   Education; The University of Birmingham; (UK)
  • NRF Doctor of Mathematics Education; Curtin University of Technology, Australia
  • Thuthuka grant- Women in Research
  • NRF Research fellow, Queensland University of technology, Brisbane, Australia 
  • NRF Research fellow, Tapestry School, Buffalo, New York, USA
  • NRF Research fellow, Curtin University of Technology, Perth, Australia
  • NRF/NSF 3 months post doctorate scholarship, University of Georgia, USA 

Membership of academic and professional associations:

  • SAARMSTE; AMESA; AARE, ISTE, IFSTE
  • Reviewer of NRF funding proposals
  • Reviewer for Journals: International Journal of African Renaissance Studies; Africa Education Review (AER); Journal of International Society for
  • Teachers Education (JISTE), AJRMSTE-African Journal of Mathematics Science and Technology Education
  • Reviewer of conference papers: SAARMSTE, SASE, AMESA, ICMI- International commission on mathematical instruction
  • Member of UNISA SENEX and Senate, School/College management 

Projects

Community engagement/ Research projects:

  • Mathematics Teaching and Learning Intervention Programme (MTLIP). Group leader
  • Developing Mathematics Teaching Proficient Teachers (DMTPT). Group leader
  • South Africa and Zimbabwean Mathematics Teachers’ pedagogical knowledge comparative study
  • Analyses of Mathematics Teacher Professional Development Programs in Selected Developed and Developing Countries: Insights for quality
  • Mathematics instruction in Sub-Saharan African countries (MTPD). Project Leader. Participating countries: Botswana, Morocco, Namibia, Poland, South Africa, Singapore, South Korea, Tanzania, USA, Swaziland and Zimbabwe.
  • Making Schools Better -500 schools project. Team Member
  • FIRSTMATH project- Team member & Co-leader (South Africa) 

Other

External examination:

  • External examiner for the Masters and Doctoral theses of the following universities: 
    • Curtin University of Technology;
    • University of Limpopo;
    • Tshwane University of Technology,
    • University of Cape Town (UCT)
    • WITS