An Investigative Study on the Availability and Use of Teaching Aids in Teaching Mathematics in Primary Schools
Chapter One
OBJECTIVE OF THE STUDY
The objectives of the study are;
- To identify types of aid resources used by teachers who teach mathematics in primary school
- To ascertain the professionalism of the mathematics teacher
- To ascertain the availability of mathematics teaching material in primary school
CHAPTER TWO
REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE
IMPROVISATION OF SCIENCE AND MATHEMATICS RESOURCES
It has been observed in recent times that both the rural and urban secondary schools are increasing in population and the problem is that of acquiring adequate human and materials or facilities for effective teaching and learning of biology, which is the only science subject offered by both science and arts based students. For teaching and learning of sciences and mathematics to be effective it requires both human and material resources. The human resources here include a qualified science and mathematics teacher, laboratory technologist, laboratory attendant and the students whom the content of science and mathematics will be delivered to. The science and mathematics teachers are the ones who will deliver the science and mathematics content to the students while the laboratory technologist and the attendant are to assist him in making and preparing the laboratory and materials where the lesson is to take place. The effective utilization of human resources will help in the effective delivery of science and mathematics lessons. The material resources in the teaching and learning of mathematics include all the materials that are needed for the effective teaching and learning of science and mathematics. These resources include the following microscope, meter rule, stop watch, mathset, handlens, preserved speciemen, Dissecting kids, petridise, gas cylinder, Aquarium, school building (Laboratory), test tube, mathematical charts, biological charts, beakers, school gardern, models, measuring cylinders, filter funnel, hygrometer, wind vane, wash bottle, quadrate, reagent, live speciemen, weigh balance, rain gauge, thermometer, computer, charts, photographs, anemometer, burnsen burner and barometer etc. The complete provision and utilization of these materials resources will help make the teaching and learning of Science and mathematics by the teachers and the students interesting and effective. One possible solution to this problem of inadequate material resources according to Eguabor (2006) and Akinrotorun (2001) as cited in Adejoh and Ityokyaa (2001) is improvisation. Improvisation is the act of construction of instructional materials from locally available materials that can adequately replace or function in place of the original material which otherwise may be very expensive or in short supply or unavailable (Eriba, 2011) .Improvisation therefore is not just an un pre-conceived on the spot activity, improvisation is a state of mind and it is a skill that lies at the heart of good science teaching. Eniayeju (1983) as cited in (Eriba, 2011) sees it as the art of using alternative materials and resource to facilitate instruction whenever there is a lack or shortage of some specific first hand teaching aids .Akinmoyewa (1992) as cited in (Eriba, 2011) says it is the art of designing a replica of something to make it function or play the role of real thing using available materials. (NTI, 1990) as cited in (Eriba, 2011) Sees it as the art of using alternative materials and resources due to lack or insufficiency of some specific firs hand teaching aids.
CHAPTER THREE
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
Research design
The researcher used descriptive research survey design in building up this project work the choice of this research design was considered appropriate because of its advantages of identifying attributes of a large population from a group of individuals. The design was suitable for the study as the study sought to an investigative study on the availability and use of teaching aids in teaching mathematics in primary schools
Sources of data collection
Data were collected from two main sources namely:
(i)Primary source and
(ii)Secondary source
Primary source:
These are materials of statistical investigation which were collected by the research for a particular purpose. They can be obtained through a survey, observation questionnaire or as experiment; the researcher has adopted the questionnaire method for this study.
Secondary source:
These are data from textbook Journal handset etc. they arise as byproducts of the same other purposes. Example administration, various other unpublished works and write ups were also used.
Population of the study
Population of a study is a group of persons or aggregate items, things the researcher is interested in getting information an investigative study on the availability and use of teaching aids in teaching mathematics in primary schools. 200 staff of selected primary schools in Uyo local government of Akwa Ibom state was selected randomly by the researcher as the population of the study.
CHAPTER FOUR
PRESENTATION ANALYSIS INTERPRETATION OF DATA
Introduction
Efforts will be made at this stage to present, analyze and interpret the data collected during the field survey. This presentation will be based on the responses from the completed questionnaires. The result of this exercise will be summarized in tabular forms for easy references and analysis. It will also show answers to questions relating to the research questions for this research study. The researcher employed simple percentage in the analysis.
CHAPTER FIVE
SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION
Introduction
It is important to ascertain that the objective of this study was to ascertain an investigative study on the availability and use of teaching aids in teaching mathematics in primary school
In the preceding chapter, the relevant data collected for this study were presented, critically analyzed and appropriate interpretation given. In this chapter, certain recommendations made which in the opinion of the researcher will be of benefits in addressing the challenges of an investigative study on the availability and use of teaching aids in teaching mathematics in primary school
Summary
This study was on an investigative study on the availability and use of teaching aids in teaching mathematics in primary school. Three objectives were raised which included: To identify types of aids resources used by teachers who teach mathematics in primary school, to ascertain the professionalism of the mathematics teacher, to ascertain the availability of mathematics teaching material in primary school. In line with these objectives, two research hypotheses were formulated and two null hypotheses were posited. The total population for the study is 200 staff of selected primary schools in Uyo local government of Akwa Ibom state. The researcher used questionnaires as the instrument for the data collection. Descriptive Survey research design was adopted for this study. A total of 133 respondents made up headmasters, mathematics teachers, senior staff and junior staff was used for the study. The data collected were presented in tables and analyzed using simple percentages and frequencies
Conclusion
Resources would help to enhance the teaching and learning of Science and Mathematics, if teachers who are the implementers of the curriculum engage themselves in proper utilization and improvisation material resources used in the teaching and learning of Mathematics.
Recommendation
- Workshop and seminars should be organized for serving Science and Mathematics teachers on improvisation and utilization of essential material resources in the teaching and learning of Science and Mathematics.
- Non-governmental organization should take it as a responsibility in funding the local production of material resources used in the teaching and learning of Science and mathematics.
- Science and Mathematics teachers should select the cheapest available equipment for demonstration or illustration of principles and science concepts
- Teachers who carry out improvisation should be rewarded and motivated adequately.
- Governments should take sole responsibility of supplying and procurement of necessary instructional materials and facilities, they should equally ensure high maintenance culture by the administrators
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