Learning Trajectories in Mathematics and Chemistry on Secondary School Students’ Understanding of Word Problems in Rivers State, Nigeria (Published)
The study investigated the effects of using Learning Trajectories (LT) in Mathematics and Chemistry on secondary students’ understanding of word problems in Rivers State, Nigeria. The study used a quasi-experimental pre-test /post- test control design. A sample of 84 (54 male :30 female) senior secondary two (SS2) students was purposively selected from Federal College of Education (Technical) Demonstration secondary school Omoku in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni local government area. Four research questions were answered and four research hypotheses were tested at 0.05 level of significance. Data was obtained through a Test of Basic Skills on Word Problems (TBSWP) designed by the researchers. The reliability coefficient index r=0.82.Mean scores were used in analyzing the research questions while z-test was employed in testing the hypotheses. The findings revealed that learning trajectories (LT) [rigid operational, flexible operational, basic operational levels etc] enhanced students’ academic achievements in mathematics. Based on the findings, it was recommended that the use of learning trajectories to teach mathematics should be encouraged in senior secondary schools.
Keywords: Learning Trajectories, Mathematics, Word problems., students’ understanding
Developing Entrepreneurial Skills in Secondary School Students through Effective Mathematics Education in Aba, Nigeria (Published)
Unemployment is a global issue which increases every day. Developing entrepreneurial skills could be a way of reducing, if not eliminating it. There is the need to make students self-reliant. These skills cannot be developed without efficient and effective knowledge of mathematics. That is why this study considers how entrepreneurial skills can be developed through mathematics education. This study was conducted in Aba metropolis of Abia State, Nigeria. Aba being one of the major centers of commerce in Nigeria was selected as to identify some of the skills and discuss how the knowledge of mathematics can assist develop them. A survey research design was used for this study with 200 senior secondary school (sss 1) students and 80 teachers selected randomly from 40 secondary schools. The instrument of study was structured questionnaire. Data collected were analyzed and research questions answered using descriptive statistics of mean and standard deviation, and co-relational statistics of Pearson moment correlation. Among others, it was found that both students and teachers need knowledge of mathematics to be good entrepreneurs. There is strong positive relationship between mathematics and entrepreneurial skills. It was recommended that there is need to enhance the mathematical background of students, and teachers with strong mathematical background should be used in teaching entrepreneurship education.
Keywords: Education, Mathematics, Skills, entrepreneurial
FACTORS INFLUENCING STUDENTS’ MATHEMATICS PERFORMANCE IN SOME SELECTED COLLEGES OF EDUCATION IN GHANA (Published)
Academic performance is affected by a number of factors including admission grade, social economic status, school background and many more. Students’ personal factors and school based factors are the focus of the study described in this paper. The study was a descriptive study in which a survey research design was adopted. Three Colleges where randomly selected for the study. A total of 50 students from these Colleges participated in the study. Data for the study was collected through student’s questionnaire. The findings revealed that inadequate teaching and learning materials as well as lecturer method of instruction are some of the factors which affect students’ performance. The study also revealed that teachers and students’ self-motivation also influence mathematics performance. On the basis of the findings, the following recommendations were made; interactive method of teaching which are core to improving students’ holistic understanding of mathematical concepts needs to be used by mathematics teachers. Also stake holders need to provide adequate teaching and learning resource to the Colleges of education.
Keywords: Factors, Mathematics, Performance
CHARACTER EDUCATION MODEL IN MATHEMATICS AND NATURAL SCIENCES LEARNING AT MUHAMMADIYAH JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL (Published)
This study aims to describe the practicality and effectiveness of character education models integrated in the learning of Mathematics and Natural Sciences is based on broad-scale trials were conducted at Muhammadiyah Junior High School of Malang City. Type of research is class action research-based lesson study with full reference to the Susilo (2009). This study was conducted in two cycles, refers to the Spiral Model of Kemmis & Taggart (1988) and Lesson Study which refers to Lewis (2002). The results of an analysis of the feasibility study observation sheet and teacher responses indicate that the model developed is included in the category of practical on the cycle I and is very practical in the cycle II. This model is practical for several reasons, namely 1) the development of models adopt a pattern that has been set by the government, was developed based on the conditions and be flexible, 2) the model allows teachers to implement and adapt to the conditions of the school or class being taught, 3) model has been developed passed the stage of planning, implementation, and evaluation involving teachers through the process of discussion and trial and supported by the feel of lesson study. The effectiveness of the model is included in the category of less or low in Cycle I and quite good in Cycle II. The values of the characters are already being integrated in the learning of Mathematics and Natural Sciences. Although the values of the characters that appear only include medium category, but gently push the teacher models for students’ attention to aspects of the character
Keywords: Character, Learning, Mathematics, Muhammadiyah, Natural Sciences
WHAT ROLE SHOULD THE SCHOOL, AS A LEARNING COMMUNITY, PLAY TO ENHANCE STUDENTS’ MATHEMATICS ACHIEVEMENT AT THE SHS LEVEL? (Published)
The purpose of this study is to advance the understanding of what mathematics classrooms need to enhance students’ opportunity to learn mathematics. The study looked specifically as role should the school, as a learning community, play to enhance students’ opportunity to learn mathematics at the SHS level. The research was conducted in two districts (Gomoa West and Efutu) in the Central Region of Ghana. The study included an extensive literature survey in order to identify related studies in Ghana and other countries. The analysis was based on quantitative and qualitative data gathered in schools with similar learner demographics characteristics, including both high-achieving and low-achieving schools. The quantitative analysis was based on close-ended questionnaire issued to both students and teachers whereas the qualitative analysis was based on open-ended questionnaire also issued to both students and teachers. A semi-structured interview of Heads of Mathematics Department of the selected schools was also included in the study. The findings of this research indicated that School, in order to improve students’ mathematics learning opportunities, should:- Provide curriculum materials, Organize in-service training for teachers, Improve assessment methods, Extend short mathematics instruction periods, Improve teaching methods, Motivate mathematics teachers and recruit competent mathematics teachers. The conclusion is that, for a country to achieve the expected success in mathematics at her SHS educational level, a critical consideration should be given to the findings of this research with all stakeholders acting to fulfill its respective role.
Keywords: Learning Community, Mathematics, Role, SHS, School