Teaching Techniques that Enhance Students' Performance in Mathematics in Selected Public Secondary Schools in Butere-Mumias District, Kenya
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Date
2006
Authors
Wasiche, J. L
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Kenyatta University
Abstract
There has been an increasing outcry and concern about the poor performance in
mathematics in Kenya. In response, the Ministry of Education Science and Technology
(MoEST) has initiated corrective measures through SMASSE by in-servicing teachers on
appropriate teaching techniques that enhance performance in mathematics. Despite these
measures, performance in mathematics in secondary schools countrywide still remained
poor. This means that, the main cause of the poor performance had not been established.
The main objective of this study was to find out teaching techniques used by mathematics
teachers that enhance students' performance. It aimed at determining whether teaching
methods, assessment/motivational techniques and class interaction patterns out-lined were
being practised by teachers and whether these strategies enhanced performance in
mathematics. Similarly, it sought to find out whether students' attitude towards
mathematics and teaching techniques teachers used enhanced their performance in
mathematics.
A cross-sectional descriptive survey design was adopted and carried out in 6 public
secondary schools of Butere-Mumias district. Three research instruments namely,
Classroom Observation Schedule (COS), Questionnaire for Mathematics Teachers (QMT)
and Mathematics Students' Questionnaire (MSQ) were used to collect data. The validity
and reliability of the instruments were enhanced by a pilot study and adapted some already
validated items. A reliability coefficient of at least 0.8 was acceptable for the study. The
instruments were administered, to six teachers who were then handling Form three class
and 48 Form three students sampled for the study. Data collected was analyzed using both
qualitative and quantitative techniques.
The main findings of the study on the teaching techniques that enhanced performance in
mathematics included small group instructions during the lesson, teacher assisting one
student at a time especially weak or low attainers. Others are teacher encouraging students
to demonstrating to each other during the lesson, providing frequent feed-back by giving
assignments, marking and revising immediately, motivating students by providing
incentives like material things for any small progress. encouraging students to interact
freely in class by allowing them to participate fully.
The study concluded that most mathematics teachers were not using various teaching
techniques to teach. Therefore, to enhance performance in the subject they need to be in-serviced
on various teaching techniques to use during the lessons. In that connection, the
researcher made the following key recommendations:
i. That teachers to be in-serviced on various teaching techniques that enhance
performance in mathematics through training which, should be school based.
11. That teachers should provide individual attention and frequent feed-back to
student.
111. Each school to organize counseling sessions for low attainers in mathematics.
IV. Teaching programmes in training colleges and universities be reviewed.
Description
Master of Education, 105pg. 2006