Barbara Busisiwe Goba

Degrees Held

  • B Science (Mathematics & Statistics)
  • PGCE
  • B Ed Honours
  • M Ed

Profile

Experience

I have taught at the university level for 13 years. Before that I taught mathematics at schools.

Accomplishments

  • ICSU travel grant

Research Interests

  • Postgraduate Education research
  • Mathematics Education
  • Language of teaching and learning in Mathematics in Higher Education Institutions

Teaching Interests

  • Mathematics Education and Research in Education

Supervision

  • Mphathi Maureen: An investigation of how language affects the teaching and learning of mathematics for English second language learners in five FET schools within Mtubatuba district, in Northern KwaZulu-Natal: A particular focus on word problems.  (Graduated in 2013– student co-supervised with Dr V. Mudaly)
  • Tsoako L.C: A critical analysis of the literature on what informs mentors’ practice when working with student teachers and newly qualified teacher. (Graduated in 2009– B Ed Hon)
  • Dlamini Thabisile: Investigating the use of representations in the teaching and learning of fractions at primary level in Swaziland. (Student defended proposal and is currently collecting data)
  • Ndlandla Sibusiso: Teachers’ conceptual understanding of teaching the area of a triangle through the problem solving approach in primary schools in Swaziland. (Student defended proposal and is currently collecting data)
  • Masarira Rodah: An investigation on the effects of play in the learning of Grade 4 Mathematics. (Student about to defend the proposal)
  • Thwala Seneme: Effects of ‘symbol sense’ in grade eleven learners’ understanding of algebraic linear equations in a selected secondary school in Swaziland. (Student about to defend the proposal)

Community Involvement/Outreach:

Professional Bodies

  • 1990 –to date: Association for Mathematics Education in South Africa (AMESA)
    • 2014-2016: Deputy President AMESA
    • 2011-2014: KZN AMESA National Representative to the National Council
    • 2013- 2015 AMESA National Council Executive member
    • 2011-2013 KZN AMESA CHAIRPERSON
  • 2014-2017: South African National International Mathematics Union (SANCIMU) -Vice Chairperson
  • 2010-2013:   SANCIMU Member
  • 2013-2016: International Mathematics Union (IMU)-South African Representative
  • 2007-2009:   Southern African Association for Research in Mathematics Science Technology Education (SAARMSTE)-Member of Executive Committee
  • 2008-2009:   Education Association of South Africa (EASA) Member

Editorial Board

  • 2016 Editor of AMESA 2016 Congress proceedings.
  • 2014-2016 AMESA NEWS – editor of the magazine for the Association for Mathematics Education of South Africa
  • 2005- 2015 Learning and Teaching Mathematics – member of the editorial board

Selected Publications (2013 – 2015):

Journal Articles

  • Khuzwayo, H., Bansilal, S., Webb, L., James, A., & Goba, B. (2015). Enabling Teacher Learning in Rural Districts: A Focus on Classroom Support. International Journal of Educational Sciences. Vol 11 No 3, pp. 300-311.
  • James, A., Bansilal, S., Webb, L., Goba, B. & Khuzwayo, H. (2015). Teacher professional development programmes in MST for developing countries. In Africa Education Review. pp.145-160.
  • Van Laren, L. & Goba B. (2013a). ‘They say we are crèche teachers’: Experiences of pre-service mathematics teachers taught through the medium of isiZulu. Pythagoras, Vol 34, No 1.
  • Van Laren, L. & Goba, B. (2013b). The Volatile Issue of Language(s) of Instruction in Foundation Phase Mathematics Teacher Education in a Multilingual Context. Alternation Special Edition 9 pp.169 – 196
  • Madiya, N., Goba, B. & Nkambule, T. (2013). Developing a researcher identity: A reflective narration of postgraduate students’ supervision experiences in a research project. In South African Journal of Higher Education. Vol 24, No. 3 2013.

Chapters in Books

  • Vithal, R. & Goba, B. (2016). Successful Postgraduate Mathematics Education Supervision. In M. Phakeng, S. Lerman (eds.), Mathematics Education in a Context of Inequity, Poverty and Language Diversity, Switzerland: Springer International Publishing. DOI 10.1007/978-3-319-38824-3_6

Complete Research Record

Papers in peer-reviewed journals.

  • Khuzwayo, H., Bansilal, S., Webb, L., James, A., & Goba, B. (2015). Enabling Teacher Learning in Rural Districts: A Focus on Classroom Support. International Journal of Educational Sciences. Vol 11 No 3, pp. 300-311.
  • James, A., Bansilal, S., Webb, L., Goba, B. & Khuzwayo, H. (2015). Teacher professional development programmes in MST for developing countries. In Africa Education Review. pp.145-160.
  • Van Laren, L. & Goba B. (2013a). ‘They say we are crèche teachers’: Experiences of pre-service mathematics teachers taught through the medium of isiZulu. Pythagoras, Vol 34, No 1.
  • Van Laren, L. & Goba, B. (2013b). The Volatile Issue of Language(s) of Instruction in Foundation Phase Mathematics Teacher Education in a Multilingual Context. Alternation Special Edition 9 pp.169 – 196
  • Madiya, N., Goba, B. & Nkambule, T. (2013). Developing a researcher identity: A reflective narration of postgraduate students’ supervision experiences in a research project. In South African Journal of Higher Education. Vol 24, No. 3 2013.
  • Bansilal, S., Goba B., Webb, L., James, A., & Khuzwayo, H. (2012). Tracing the impact: A case of a professional development programme in Mathematical Literacy. In Africa Education Review, Vol 9 No. 1.
  • Goba, B.B., Balfour, R.J. & Nkambule, T. (2011).  The nature of experimental and quasi-experimental research in postgraduate education research in South Africa: 1995-2004. In South African Journal of Higher Education. UNISA: Pretoria.
  • Bengesai, A.V., Goba, B.B. & Karlsson, J. (2011). Titles discourses as naming and framing institutional research agendas as evident in theses titles in 1995-2004. In South African Journal of Higher Education. UNISA: Pretoria.
  • Molefe, S., Bengesai, A.V., Davey, B., Goba, B., Lekena, L., Madiya, N. & Nkambule, T. (2011). “Now you call us colleagues”: a reflection on the PPER students’ experience of becoming researchers 2007 and 2009. In South African Journal of Higher Education. UNISA: Pretoria.

Publication in refereed conference proceedings

  • Goba, B. & Vithal, R. (2016). Researching Mathematics Education in South Africa: theories employed in the postgraduate studies (1995-2004). Conference proceedings of International Commission on Mathematics Education. Hamburg, Germany.
  • Webb, L., Bansilal, S., James, A., Goba, B. & Khuzwayo, H. (2012). Some insights concerning mathematical literacy teacher training. Conference proceedings of International Commission on Mathematics Education. Soul, Korea.
  • Webb, L., Bansilal, S., James, A., Goba B., & Khuzwayo, H. (2011). ACE: Mathematics Literacy qualifications- some insights from KZN. Proceedings of AMESA National Conference held at the University of Witwatersrand June 2011.

Chapters in Books

  • Vithal, R. & Goba, B. (2016). Successful Postgraduate Mathematics Education Supervision. In M. Phakeng, S. Lerman (eds.), Mathematics Education in a Context of Inequity, Poverty and Language Diversity, Switzerland: Springer International Publishing. DOI 10.1007/978-3-319-38824-3_6
  • Sethole, G., Goba, B., Adler, J. & Vithal, R. (2006). Fine-Tunning a language of Description for Mathematics items which incorporate the everyday. In D.J. Clarke, C. Keitel, & Y. Shimizu (Eds.) Mathematics Classrooms in Twelve Countries: The Insider’s Perspective. Rotterdam: Sense Publishers.

Dissertation

  • Goba, B. (2004). Grade Eight Learners’ experiences of mathematics in OBE. Unpublished M Ed dissertation. University of KwaZulu-Natal. Durban.