Effect of Mathematics Laboratory on Students Performance in Mathematics in Secondary Schools in Enugu State
CHAPTER ONE
OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY
Research objectives are just as useful as they are in most other aspects of life. “Research objectives provide the researcher a wonderful feeling of aim and direction,” according to Etim (2004). The study’s overall purpose is to investigate the effects of using mathematics laboratory in teaching on the performance of Senior Secondary School (SSS) students mathematics. The study, on the other hand, was focused on achieving these precise goals.
CHAPTER TWO
LITERATURE REVIEW
INTRODUCTION
A literature review is a critical study of the current state of knowledge, which includes substantive results as well as theoretical and methodological contributions to a specific issue. The literature studied centred on the discovery of the inherent meaning of the variables under research, in accordance with this criteria.
In this chapter, we will critically review relevant literature that will aid in clarifying the research challenge, as well as appreciate the contributions of academics who have already made significant contributions to comparable research. The goal of this chapter is to improve the reader’s knowledge of the research and close any perceived gaps.
Specifically, the chapter will be divided into three sections:
- Conceptual Framework
- Theoretical Framework, and
- Empirical Review
CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK
Nature and Teaching of Mathematics in Junior Secondary School
When properly viewed, mathematics is a model for thinking, developing scientific structure, drawing conclusions as well as solving problems (Odo, 2009)the above information stresses the fact that mathematics is not only a valuable subject but also a vital tool in science, technology and commerce, thus government in both industrialized and developing countries of the world in recognition of this role sought to provide greater opportunities for its study by their citizens and to make the teaching of mathematics more effective at every level of education Akinsola & Popoola (2005) Manjunath (2008) has shown that the teaching method use mostly in teaching of mathematics in our school is the traditional method with its attendant disadvantage, also teachers are not utilizing the laboratory method of instruction Okigbo and Osuafor (2008). Thus if students are to acquire basic concepts of mathematics and essential scientific skills, there is need for teachers to employ the students activity based mode of teaching Yarda (2007). It is a known fact that, quality in teaching is directly proportional to student’s performance. However there are some inherent weaknesses in the teaching of mathematics at junior secondary school as outlined below:
- Mathematics is taught as an abstract subject
- Mathematics is taught as an isolated subject
- Students are passive learner
- Geometric and physical visualizations remain weak
Yarda (2007) acknowledge the fact that mathematics is better taught by “doing” in order to promote the development of scientific interest and manipulative skill. Therefore mathematics teaching should be activity driven and students‟ actively engaged throughout the lesson.
This study focus on the use of laboratory instructional method to teach geometry in junior secondary mathematics.
Concept of Mathematics Laboratory
Education has for years been confronted with “new‟‟ curricula, “new” programs, “new” techniques. Much of the newness” in education is a rejuvenation of past ideas. For example Manjunath (2008) in his dissertation, mathematics laboratory.
CHAPTER THREE
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
AREA OF STUDY
Enugu is the capital of Enugu State in Nigeria. It is located in southeastern Nigeria. The city had a population of 722,664 according to the 2006 Nigerian census. The name Enugu is derived from the two Igbo words Énú Ụ́gwụ́ meaning “hill top” denoting the city’s hilly geography.
Enugu became the capital of the Eastern Region after Nigeria’s independence in 1960; a succession of territorial adjustments in 1967, 1976 and 1991 led to Enugu becoming the capital of what is now Enugu State. On 30 May 1967 Enugu was declared the capital of the short-lived Republic of Biafra; for this Enugu is known as the “capital of Igboland.”
RESEARCH DESIGN
Research designs are perceived to be an overall strategy adopted by the researcher whereby different components of the study are integrated in a logical manner to effectively address a research problem. In this study, the researcher employed the survey research design. This is due to the nature of the study whereby the opinion and views of people are sampled.
CHAPTER FOUR
DATA PRESENTATION AND ANALYSIS
INTRODUCTION
The purpose of this study was to to investigate the effects of using mathematics laboratory in teaching on the performance of Senior Secondary School (SSS) students mathematics. This chapter is concerned with the presentation and analysis of data gathered through the use of questionnaire distributed to the respondents.
The study answered the following research questions:
- Are there mathematics laboratory facilities in secondary schools?
- To what extent has the use of mathematics laboratory enhance the student’s performance in mathematics?
- What is the mathematics teachers’ perceptions on effects of availability or non-availability of laboratories on students’ performance?
To achieve the purpose of this chapter, the following sub-headings are discussed:
- Data Presentation
- Answering Research Questions, and
- Test of Hypotheses
CHAPTER FIVE
SUMMARY OF FINDINGS, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS
INTRODUCTION
This chapter summarizes the findings into the “effect of mathematics laboratory on students performance in mathematics in secondary schools in Enugu State using 10 selected secondary schools in Enugu, Enugu state as a case study”. The chapter consists of summary of findings, recommendations, and conclusions.
SUMMARY OF FINDINGS
In this study, our focus was to investigate the effect of mathematics laboratory on students performance in mathematics in secondary schools in Enugu State using 10 selected secondary schools in Enugu, Enugu state as a case study. The study specifically was aimed at finding out the availability of mathematics laboratory facilities in secondary schools, investigate the extent to which the use of mathematics laboratory will enhance the student’s performance in mathematics, and find out mathematics teachers’ perceptions on effects of availability or non-availability of laboratories on students’ performance.
The study adopted the survey research design and randomly enrolled participants using convenient sampling technique to choose the sample size in the study. A total of 259 responses were received and validated from the enrolled participants where all respondent are teachers and students of the 10 sampled secondary schools in Enugu, Enugu state. Self-constructed and validated questionnaire was used for data collection. The collected and validated questionnaires were analyzed using frequency tables and percentage. The formulated hypotheses was tested using the Pearson correlation statistical tool SPSS version 23.
CONCLUSIONS
Having critically examined the research questions, tested the hypothesis, and the research findings, the following conclusion was made based on the information gathered:
- Majority of the schools have mathematics laboratory in their schools.
- The use of mathematics laboratory has enhanced the student’s performance in mathematics to a very high extent.
- There is a significant relationship between the usage of laboratory and students performance in mathematics.
RECOMMENDATIONS
The researcher made the following recommendations:
- Mathematics teachers should use mathematics laboratory in teaching mathematics.
- Government should establish mathematics laboratory in all schools like other science subjects laboratories
- Seminars/worships should be organized for mathematics teachers in secondary school on the use of mathematics laboratory.
- Mathematics student teachers should be trained on the use of mathematics laboratory in the mathematics methodology class.
REFERENCES
- Abdulsalam, A. S. (2008): Research Methods in Education. Stirling-Hordon Publishers (Nig) Ltd, Lagos, Ibadan, Benin City, Jattu-Uzair.
- Abiami, P.O &Odok, J.K (2006).Factors in Students Achievement in Different Branches of Secondary School Mathematics.Journal of Education and Technology I (1), 161-168.
- Ado, I. B &Akinbobola, A. O. (2009): Teaching Simple Interest Using Constructivist Approach. Journal of Issues on Mathematics 12 (1&2), 47-52.
- Agina-Obu, T. N. (2005): The Relevance of Instructional Materials in Teaching and Learning in Robert-Ohah. I &Uzoechi, K.C. (ed). Theories and Practice of Teaching, Port-Harcourt: Harey Publication.
- Agwagah UNV (2007): The Teaching of Number Bases in Junior Secondary Mathematics: The Use of Base Board ABACUS. J. Math Association of Nigeria. (Mathematics Education Series) 26(1): 1-7.
- Akisola,M.K&Popoola, A.A (2005), A Comparative Study of the Effectiveness of Two Strategies of Solving Mathematics Problems in the Academic of Secondary School Students ABACUS, Journal of the Mathematics Associating of Nigeria (JMAN), 29(1).
- Akuezuilo, E. O. &Chinweoke, F. U. (2009): Effectiveness of Prior Knowledge of Behavioural Objectives and Study Questions on Female Studies‟ Mathematics Achievement. UNIZIK Journal of STM Education, 1(1), 1-7.
- Aminu, D.K. (2008): The Importance of Games in the Teaching and Learning of Lowest Common Multiple (LCM) of Numbers in Overcrowded Secondary Classes. Journal of Issues on Mathematics 11(1), 1-2.
