The study was on the factors influencing the attitude of secondary
school students towards the study of mathematics in Sango-Ota, Ado-Odo/Ota
Local Government Area, Ogun State. The study was led by four research
objectives which were to examine the students social background on students’
performance in mathematics, to identify the influence of teacher-students’
relationship on students’ performance in mathematics, to identify the influence
of parents on students’ performance and to identify the influence of teachers’
methodology on students’ performance. Relevant literatures were reviewed on
theories and findings that emerged from different authors. The study involved 5
secondary schools, 10 mathematics teachers and 176 students. These were
obtained through random sampling. Method of data collection was done by using
questionnaire. The findings indicated teaching and learning mathematics was
facing challenges such as inadequate teaching aids, the teachers’ methodology,
students’ social and cultural background and students’ perception about the
subject.
Therefore, the researcher recommends that
teachers should be more involved in changing the attitude of students in order
to improve their performance in mathematics. Teachers should also motivate the
students in changing their attitude and perception towards the subject. Use of
rewards encourages even the very weak students in the class. The reward may
vary from verbal praise to presentation of gifts. The government should as a
matter of urgency, set into motion a programme for training College of
Education and Universities, not to know mathematics the more, but to learn how
to teach the subject in a way that students will be able to enjoy it.
There is need for equipping the schools with
audio-visual and other instructional materials in order to aid teacher’s effort
in teaching mathematics and to foster understanding among students. Parents
should also encourage their children when they are not performing well in order
to increase their level of motivation instead of scolding them.
Contents
CERTIFICATION/APPROVAL PAGE.. ii
DEDICATION.. iii
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT.. iv
ABSTRACT.. v
TABLE OF CONTENT.. vi
CHAPTER ONE.. 1
1.0 Introduction. 1
1.1 Background to the Study. 3
1.2 Statement of the Problem.. 5
1.3 Research Questions. 7
1.4 Research Hypotheses. 7
1.5 Purpose of Study. 8
1.6 Significance of the Study. 8
1.7 Scope of the Study. 9
1.8 Limitation of the Study. 9
1.9 Clarification of Terms. 9
CHAPTER TWO.. 11
LITERATURE REVIEW... 11
2.0
Attitude of Students Towards Mathematics. 11
2.1 Instructional Approach Effects on
Mathematics. 14
2.2 Students Motivation by Teachers. 16
2.3 Summary. 20
CHAPTER THREE.. 21
METHODOLOGY.. 21
Introduction. 21
Sampling
and Sample technique. 21
Research
Instrument 22
Instrument
Validity and Reliability. 23
Data
Collection Procedures. 23
CHAPTER FOUR.. 24
DATA ANALYSIS, INTERPRETATION AND
DISCUSSION.. 24
Research
Question 1. 24
Research
Question 2. 26
Research
Question 3. 29
CHAPTER FIVE.. 32
SUMMARY OF FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATION.. 32
Findings. 32
Recommendations. 33
REFERENCES. 35
APPENDIXES. 37
APPENDIX
I. 37
APPENDIX
2. 38
1.0 Introduction.
One does not need to tell
any individual or the society about the importance of Mathematics. Obodo (2001)
asserted that the importance of mathematics education in Nigerians educational
system and the nation’s technological development has been recognized. This is
why mathematics was considered as one of the most important subjects in
Nigerian schools. According to Odumosu et al (2001) Mathematics has been
regarded as the bedrock of science and technology. Altbach (2002) in Fasasi,
K.M (2009) supported this fact when he noted that the progress of science could
be determined by the extent to which mathematics has entered into its methods
and contents. Adeyegba (2005) in Odumosu et al (2012) observed that there is
hardly any area of science that does not make use of mathematical concepts to explain
its own concepts, theories or models. In a similar view, Mathematics is
regarded as the major tool available for formulating theories in the Science,
Engineering, and Economics as well as in other fields (Abiodun, 2007).
Uhumuaubi and Umoru (2005) in Useni, P.F (2012), revealed that Mathematics has
always been regarded as the language of science.
Mathematics without any
doubt remains the most serviceable science subject to all discipline and field
of human work and study. The importance and the attention given to Mathematics
is stemming from the fact that without Mathematics, there is no science,
without science, there is no modern technology, and without modern technology,
there is no modern society. Simeon & Francis (2012) Opined that mathematics
is the queen of science and technology and also a tool for scientific and
technological development. Mathematics is a language of size, order and symbol:
just like English. Related to Obodo view is that offered by Madu and Hogan
(2010) that Mathematics is made up of a set of concepts, facts, principles, and
operations that are fundamental to the existence of every individual. Stephen,
T.K (2009) saw Mathematics as a set of precise and logical language, which not
only lead to interesting activities in their own right but can also be applied
to everyday life and is used as description or models in science and other
areas. Others like Osen (1974) and Ale (1981) in Stephen, T.K (2009) described
mathematics as the mother or queen of all sciences and that diverse phenomenon
in physical, biological and economic situations can be communicated through the
concept of shape, quantity, size and order. To Marut (1999) it is” the mother
and language of all science”. More complete but related to Marut’s definition
is that offered by Aminu (1985) that” is not only the language of science” it
is the essential nutrient for thought, logic, reasoning and therefore progress,
while Olosunde and Olaleye (2010) say that is the fundamental science that is
necessary for understanding of most fields. According to Ajayi (2011)
Mathematics is the queen of all sciences and servant to all discipline.
The summary of the matter is
that of Abubakar (1980) Mathematics is the foundation of all science and also
very embodiment of precision and brevity. In spite all this importance accorded
Mathematics in the society, there is a lot of public complaints on the
performance of students at the secondary school level in mathematics, this
performance in mathematics Attah (2009) attests to the disheartening
Mathematics results in public examination. The world we live in today is
rapidly progressing scientifically and technologically. The economic wellbeing
of any developing nation such as Nigeria depends to a significant extent, on
her scientific and technological process. Organized exploration of nature for
the benefit of mankind is the basic aim of modern science and technology.
Nigeria being a developing country now encourages the study of science and
technology in schools so as to be able to meet up with the man-power needs of
the nation. This could be evidenced by the way both State and Federal
Governments build Universities of Technology, Polytechnics and even Technical
Colleges. A few of such institutions include Federal Polytechnic Oko,
NuhuBamalli Polytechnic, Zaria. Federal Polytechnic Bauchi. Federal Government
Technical College, Kaduna, Federal University of Technology, Mina, Anambra
State University of Technology, Technical School, Benin etc.
1.1 Background to the study.
Sango Ota is located just
north of the tollgate on the Lagos-Abeokuta Expressway. Ota is a town in Ogun
state, Nigeria and has a rough estimate of 2,000,000 residents. Ota is the
capital of Ado-Odo/Ota Local Government Area. Sango Ota is a popular place
known for both high industrial and academic activities. The present
administration in Ogun state has in her take-over note that sixty percent (60%)
of students to be admitted into the University should be science oriented
students.
All these approaches made by
the government are good in themselves. A question stands to be answered “what
about the students and their attitude to the subjects that will be used to
achieve this purpose”? No matter the amount of investment the government puts
into education to make sure we are developed scientifically and
technologically, it will be a wasted venture if students’ attitude to
mathematics is negative. This is because mathematics is the language of
sciences. Mathematics serves as the vehicle of thinking. A real study of
science is not possible without the facilities of this fact. Idah (2007) said
“as a subject, mathematics is at the base of all the science and environmental
professions”. In industry, mathematics is needed for the production of guided
missiles and is useful in aerospace technology. In communication, mathematics
is also very useful. If one is mathematically literate, one can communicate
precisely and present his argument in a logical manner because mathematics
helps one in logical thinking. Indeed, there is hardly any field where
mathematics is not useful. The farmer, the hunter, the housewife etc. all use
mathematics.
Hence, we notice that if
Nigerians are to realize their national objective in science and technology,
hands must be on deck regarding the study of mathematics in both the primary,
secondary and tertiary level of our education. Efforts would be made to improve
students’ attitude towards the subject.
The right way to introduce
young people to mathematics is not to teach Arithmetic, Algebra, Statistics and
Geometry as separate branches, each with its own technical apparatus and
methods. The ideal thing is to treat mathematics as a science in which the
topics are chosen so as to develop an understanding of mathematical idea.
Therefore, the early stage of mathematics teaching is very important since the
pupils’ future performance in the subject depends on how well he performs at
this stage. Mathematics is a way of thinking about pattern and relationship of
numbers and shapes. It includes arithmetic, algebra, geometry, statistics and
trigonometry.
The attitude of students to
mathematics education whether positive or negative are affected by many
factors. Most students are biased towards mathematics education before they
start to study it. They are told and made to believe that mathematics is very
difficult; and as such, an undesirable subject (Jimoh, 2005). With this in
their mind, they feel that they can never understand the subject no matter how
hard they try.
Another factor is the career
expectation of those concerned. Many students who aspire to become doctors,
engineers, computer scientists etc develop interest in the subject as early as
possible. This interest is seen in the effort made to understand the subjects.
Although some of this type of students may have problems in understanding the
subjects due to level of aptitude for them, the interest already developed
assist in no small measure in their performance.
One more factor that can
affect the attitude of students is the method of teaching mathematics in secondary
schools. The traditional method of verbal learning and memorization had led to
formal and abstract approach to mathematics teaching. (Osigwe, 2007).
Finally, attitude towards
mathematics may be influenced by social status of the parents and associated with
peer group.
1.2 Statement of the Problem
Despite all efforts towards
scientific and technological development, it is observed that most students
have negative attitude towards mathematics. This attitude is reflected in their
poor performance in school certificate mathematics examination. It then becomes
necessary to answer the following questions:
1. Are student
aware of the fact that mathematics is a prerequisite for professional courses
like medicine, pharmacy, engineering, etc?
2. Do secondary
school students lack adequate background in mathematics?
3. Does the way
mathematics is taught affect the attitude of students towards the subject?
4. Does lack of
motivation affect students’ attitude?
5. Do students that
are naturally weak find the study of mathematics very difficult?
6. Do parents,
peers and teachers influence the attitude of students towards the subject?
If all these questions would
be answered and analyzed, the writer would be able to determine what is
responsible for the attitude of students towards mathematics and perhaps make
suggestions on how the attitude could be improved.
The attitude of a student
towards mathematics influences his life in many aspects. It does not only
affect his performance in mathematics but also in another related subject. This
can affect his reasoning faculty and his logical approach to day-to-day issues
in life.
The problems associated with
mathematics disturb parents, teachers and educationist. The slow rate of
development of this country is attributed to the low scientific manpower, tradesmen,
the technicians and other skilled labour to facilitate development. Since it is
only mathematics that will solve this problem, it become necessary to identify
those factors that affect students’ attitude.
In order to be able to
direct this study to specific areas, the following questions were formulated:
i. Do students
have negative attitude towards mathematics?
ii. Can
students’ attitude toward the study of mathematics be influenced by teachers’
method of teaching.
iii. Can
students’ attitude towards mathematics be influenced by their parents?
iv. Can attitude
of students towards mathematics be influenced by their friends?
v. Do students
who do badly in mathematics during examinations have negative attitude towards
the study of mathematics?
vi. Do students
whose vocational aspiration require mathematics have positive attitude towards
the study of mathematics?
An hypothesis is a specific
statement of prediction. It describes in concrete (rather than theoretical)
terms what you expect will happen in your study or research. Not all studies
have hypotheses though; but in this research, there exist some:
Hypotheses one (Ho1):
Students generally fear mathematics
Hypotheses two (Ho2):
Teachers are the primary cause of students’ phobia towards mathematics
Hypotheses three (Ho3):
Parents can influence the attitude of students towards mathematics.
The purpose of the study is
to investigate the attitude of secondary school students towards mathematics
with a view to identifying the basic factors underlying them. Attempts would
also be made to find solutions to these problems.
The writer’s choice of this
topic for research is based on the urgency of the need for a positive attitude
towards the study of the subject (Mathematics). This need is based on the
usefulness of this subject towards the scientific and technological development
of our country.
It is hoped that this would
really reveal the factor that affect students’ attitude towards mathematics. On
identification of such factors, students would be advised on how best to tackle
their problems. The best way to solve a problem is not to shy away from it but
to face the problem squarely and the result will appear.
To the educationist and
curriculum planners, this study would reveal the relevance of arithmetic taught
in primary school to the mathematics teachers who would be able to motivate
students so that they can develop positive attitude towards mathematics. It
will also enable them to start holding workshops for teachers more often than
before so as to furnish teachers with techniques for improving their students’
attitude as well as performance.
It will also serve as a
resource material for those who like to carry out research on problems
encountered in the teaching of mathematics in secondary schools.
The main concern of this
investigation would be on the effect of teachers on the students’ attitude
toward the study of mathematics, its relevance to the vocational aspiration of
the students concerned, the effect of low score in mathematics examination to
student attitude.
This study is limited to
only the senior secondary school (S.S.S I and S.S.S II) students in five
selected secondary schools in Sango-Ota, Ogun State.
In administration of
questionnaire, the students and only qualified mathematics teachers in the
selected secondary schools were interviewed.
1.9 Clarification of Terms
Factor
One of the elements
contributing to a particular result or situation. A factor or situation that
influences the result of something. A constituent or element that brings about
certain effects or results.
Influence
The capacity to have an
effect on the character, development, or behaviour of someone or something, or
the effect itself. Influence is the power to have an important effect on
someone or something. The definition of influence is the power that someone has
over someone or something.
Attitude
A settled way of thinking or
feeling about something.
A feeling or opinion about
something or someone, or a way of behaving that is caused by something.
Generally, attitude is a
behavior a person adopts toward other people, things, incidents or happenings.
In literature, the term “attitude” can be referred to as perspective or tone of
the writer he adopts in a certain work.
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