A study of teacher trainees attitudes towards mathematics and their tutors contributions to these attitudes

Abstract

This research study was conducted at Migori teachers training college in south Nyanza district to find out the teacher trainees attitudes towards mathematics and the contribution of their tutors to these attitudes.

The purpose of the study was to try and find out what might be one of the causes of the negative attitudes held by most of our school leavers towards mathematics which in turn results into poor performance in mathematics. The study also sought to find out what attitudes towards mathematics are inculcated in the teacher trainees.

The sample of the study consisted of all the second year students at Migori teachers training college. It would have included even the first year students but by then they were out for their teaching practice. In all five hundred questionnaires were administered but only three hundred and eighteen were returned.

A single questionnaire was administered. It was divided into two parts. Section A consisted of questions, which measured the teacher trainees attitudes towards mathematics. Section B consisted of questions which measured the contribution to tutors to their trainees attitudes towards mathematics.

This study revealed that the teacher trainees attitudes towards mathematics is positive and there is a statistically significant difference between mean attitudes towards mathematics between male and female teacher trainees.

This study was carried out in the month of July 1985. It took researcher two months to compile this report.