Open approach lesson study is techniques whereby students' mathematical thinking, perspectives, and development of teaching methods are integrated. The method encourages independent mindset, increases students' participation and engagement in the classroom and inspires them to think beyond and do away with the routine when solving mathematical problems.

Prof. Maitree Inprasitha presented a workshop and special lecture on ‘Open approach lesson study’, as a continuation of Southern Africa Association of Research in Mathematics, Science and Technology (SAARMSTE) conference on 20 January 2017. In his presentation, he emphasised the importance of subject expert collaboration to improve teaching and learning at foundation phase to enhance learner performance. Prof. Inprasitha further spoke about his research on the Japanese open approach lesson study as a practical teaching method where learners are taught to think for themselves. “Many countries use the same teaching method when approaching mathematics. They start with a problem and come up theories of solving that problem. In Japan, they start with problem-posing phase, which comes before problem-solving, and because they use the open approach method, students attempt to come up with as many answers as possible to solve the same problem and in the meantime, discover many approaches to solving that particular problem. Our learners need to be exposed to such methods that will enable them to think for themselves”. 

Prof. Maitree also mentioned that mathematical activities generated by open-ended problems are rich and subtle as teachers get the opportunity of evaluating student’s higher thinking skills. “Lesson study provides an opportunity for teachers to benefit from one another's pedagogical knowledge. With the learning goal in mind, teachers propose instructional activities that make student thinking visible, open to observation and analysis,” he concluded. SAARMSTE is a non-profit organisation dedicated to the advancement of research in Mathematics, Science and Technology Education (MSTE). The association aims to foster a sense of community among researchers in MSTE, promote research, improve and develop MSTE programmes in response to the current and future needs. 

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1: Prof. Maitree Inprasitha is a world-renowned expert on the lesson study programme and Dean of Faculty of Education at Khon Kaen University in Thailand. He is also a professor in mathematics education programme at the faculty. His main research and publications focus on mathematics education and teaching styles on the lesson study and open approach. 

2: Mathematicians discussing ways of demonstrating open approach in classrooms during a session in the CUT Artec Hall on Bloemfontein Campus.