Chap Sam LIM School of Educational StudiesUniversiti Sains Malaysia<cslim@usm.my>

Textbook and Blackboard Use in Malaysian Primary Mathematics classrooms

TWO QUESTIONS

1. (Q1)How do primary mathematics teachers use textbooks in Malaysia?

2. (Q3) How do primary mathematics teachers use blackboards in Malaysia?

1. (Q1)How do primary mathematics teachers use

textbooks in Malaysia? Textbook is the predominant teaching

materials/source of reference for teachers

All textbooks are published by the Ministry of Education, under the Textbook Division

Textbooks are given as free loan to all pupils in all schoolsNot for sale to be returned at end of year

Textbook packageEach grade – two volume – Book A and BActivity book – book A and BTeacher guideCourseware –

Smart school versionTeaching courseware – developed by

Curriculum Development DepartmentBy Topic – developed by Educational

Technology Department

Use of Textbook Previously – may be 70% of the time use

textbooks,

But after the policy of Teaching Mathematics and Science using English [PPSMI] Nearly 90% of time based on text book,

because Better and more effective teaching strategies

proposed in the textbook Written strictly according to the curriculum

requirement

Use of Textbook by teachers

Most teachers follow accordingly – unit by unit, content, activities and examples

Also come with activity book and courseware

Also Teacher guide – for Grade 1, 4, 5 & 6

An example of Year 3 Math textbook & activity book: cover page

An example of Year 3 Math textbook: Foreword – philosophy of syllabus

An example of Year 3 Math textbook: Introduction – organization of the textbook

An example of Year 3 Math textbook: Introduction – organization of the textbook –using icons

An example of Year 3 math textbook: topic: Fraction

Introduction page – picture of activity related to the topic

An example of Year 3 math textbook:

Glossary at end of book

Last page

2. (Q3) How do primary mathematics teachers use blackboards in Malaysia?

Main uses:For explanation of content or elaborationTo assess pupils’ performance – ask pupils

to come out and show on blackboardAs display board – paste manila cards/flash

cards/students’ workTo provide information – short important

note/list/reminder of homework

1. For explanation of content or elaboration

1. For explanation of content or elaboration

2. To assess pupils’ performance – ask pupils to come out and show on blackboard

2. To assess pupils’ performance – different pupils are asked to show their solutions on blackboard

3. As a display board – displaying pupils’ work

3. As a display board – displaying

4. To provide information: Short notes at the top corner

4. To provide information: today’s home work at the top corner

Q3: Blackboard use - organizationOrganization of blackboard

not given due significanceno course or training given during pre-service

education, unlike Shanghai/ChinaMainly based on teachers’ own experiences

and creativity

Can be messy

Example of blackboard organization at end of class: : Teacher 1

Example of blackboard organization at end of class: Teacher 2

Use of courseware

Use of courseware - exercises

Use of white board

Thank you for your attention, please comment.