Achievement Motivation as a Predictor of Academic Achievement of Senior Secondary School Student in Mathematics (Published)
This study examined the achievement motivation as predictor of academic achievement among Senior Secondary School II students in Edo State The study sample consisted of 698 students who were randomly sampled from the population of 27,937 students in pubic secondary school II students in Edo Sate. The sample size of this study is 2.5% of the entire population of 27,937 which is 698. The sample was drawn from the population using the multi-stage sampling technique. This involves selection of sample in stages. There are eighteen Local Government Areas in Edo State, divided into three (3) senatorial districts – Edo North (5 local Government Areas); Edo Central (6 Local Government Areas); Edo South (7 Local Government Areas). Both the independent and dependent variables were measured with relevant standardized instruments. To guide the study, three (3) research questions and a null hypothesis was raised. Data collected were analyzed using Pearson r correlation coefficient and Stepwise multiple regression statistical techniques. The results showed that achievement motivation predicted students’ academic achievement in mathematic. On the basis of the findings, it was recommended that achievement motivation should be enhanced using appropriate counseling strategies.
Keywords: Achievement, Mathematics, Motivation, Student, senior secondary
High School Students’ Attitudes towards the Study of Mathematics and their Perceived Teachers’ Teaching Practices (Published)
The study employed a survey to explore 210 high school students’ attitudes towards the study of mathematics and their perceptions on their teachers’ teaching practices. The sample was made up of 102 males and 108 females who were randomly selected from four high schools in the Cape Coast Metropolis of the Central Region of Ghana. The data were analysed using descriptive statistics, correlation and regression analyses. The findings showed high perceived attitudes reported in the students’ interest in doing mathematics, usefulness of mathematics, and confidence in doing mathematics; it was unclear whether students perceived mathematics as a male dominated subject or not. With regards to teachers’ teaching practices, all the 3 subscales: use of student- centered approach, classroom management skills and communication skills studied, were reported to be important in influencing students learning of mathematics. However, communication skills adopted by teachers in teaching the subject was perceived as the strongest predictor of high school students’ attitudes followed by teachers’ classroom management skills. The study concludes that to ensure positive attitudes of students towards the study of mathematics, effective communication and classroom management skills should be integral in mathematics teachers’ instructional practices; they should be important goals of any mathematics teacher preparation programs
Keywords: Attitudes, High School Students, Mathematics, Teachers, Teaching practices
Teachers’ Perceptions of the Usage of Calculators in the Teaching and Learning of Mathematics at the Junior High School Level in Ghana (Published)
Educational technology is recognized as an essential component of the instructional process and thus, uses of calculators have been recommended to be introduced in Junior High Schools in Ghana. However, teachers’ attitudes towards the use of calculators have not been established. The purpose of the study was to investigate teachers’ perceptions towards the use of calculators in mathematics instruction in JHS in Ghana. Descriptive research design was used and data were collected from mathematics teachers using questionnaires. The results indicated that teachers have positive perceptions towards the use of calculators for mathematics learning. The finding is helpful to curriculum developers and they can integrate the use of calculators in mathematics teaching and learning in JHS in Ghana.
Keywords: Calculator, Education, Learning, Mathematics, School, Teachers