Blended learning approach to mathematics education modules: An analysis of pre-service teachers' perceptions

Changes in the higher education institutions curriculum for South African schools have ushered in a blended learning approach to support the education process and to meet the needs of students. This change revolves around a blend of the use of online learning and traditional approaches to improve on pre-service mathematics teachers' knowledge and academic performance. This paper explored pre-service mathematics teachers' perceptions of the need for using a blended learning approach to mathematics education modules in other to ascertain if they will want to use b-learning in their future teaching career. This research involved a mixed-method using convenient purposive sampling to sample 42 pre-service mathematics teachers enrolled for a mathematics methodology module in a selected South African higher education institution. Responses to the questionnaire were used to conduct a descriptive analysis of each question. Qualitative data analysis from a semi-structured interview was analyzed thematically. The main finding revealed that pre-service mathematics teachers were optimistic that blended learning improved their performance, and have therefore expressed their readiness to adopt it in their future teaching career. However, pre-service teachers still need training and support to engage meaningfully in this approach to learning.