ABSTRACT
This
research sets out to investigate the factors influencing the attitude of
secondary school students towards the study of mathematics in Benin City.
The
research used questionnaire to get information from students and qualified
mathematics teachers of five selected secondary schools in Benin City.
The
study reveals that:
1. Most students have negative attitude
towards the study of mathematics.
2. The student’s attitude towards the
study of mathematics is influenced by teachers’ method of teaching.
3. Parents motivate their children to
like mathematics.
4. The attitude of students towards
mathematics is influenced by their friends.
5. Most students do badly in mathematics
during examination have negative attitude towards the study of mathematics.
6. Students whose vocational aspirations
require mathematics have positive attitude towards the study of mathematics.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Title page……………………………………………….……………ii
Certification………………………………………………………….iii
Dedication……………………………………………………………iv
Acknowledgements…………………………………………………..v
Table of contents…………………………………………………….vii
Abstract………………………………………………………………ix
CHAPTER ONE
Introduction……………………………………………………...……1
Statement of problem………………………………………………....6
Purpose of study………………………………………………………8
Significance of the study……………………………………………...9
Scope/Delimitation of study…………………………………………10
Research Questions………………………………………………….11
Limitations…………………………………………………………..12
CHAPTER TWO
Literature Review……………………………………………………13
CHAPTER THREE
Method of study……………………………………………………..33
Nature and design of study…………………………………………..33
Population and sample………………………………………………33
Research instrument…………………………………………………35
Method of validation………………………………………………...36
Data collection procedures…………………………………………..36
CHAPTER
FOUR
Data
analysis, Interpretation and Discussion………………………..38
CHAPTER
FIVE
Summary
of findings and Recommendation………………………...57
Findings……………………………………………………………...57
Recommendations
…………………………………………………..60
References…………………………………………………………...64
Appendix…………………………………………………………….67
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
We are
living in a world that is rapidly progressing scientifically and
technologically. The economic well being of any developing nation depends to a
significant extent on her scientific and technological process. Organized
exploration of nature for the benefit of mankind in 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 State and
Federal Governments build Universities of Technology, Polytechnics and even
Technical Colleges. A few of such institutions include Federal Polytechnic
Idah, Federal Polytechnic Bauchi. Anambra State University of Technology, Auchi
Polytechnic, Technical School, Benin etc. The present administration 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 of 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 serve 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, on 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
although they may not be of this fact.
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 pupils 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 a grasp 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 and
affected by many factors. Most students are biased towards mathematics
education before they start to study it. They are told that mathematics is very
difficult. With this in their mind, they feel that they can never grasp 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 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.
Another
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.
Finally,
attitude towards mathematics may be influenced by social status of the parents
and associated with peer group.
Statement of 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 question:
1.
Are student
no 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.
Is it
because some students are naturally weak and 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 attitudes
of a student towards mathematics influence his life in many aspects. It cannot
only affect his performance in mathematics but also in other related subject.
This can affect his reasoning faculty and his logical approach to day to day
issues in life.
The problem associated with mathematics disturbs
parents, teachers and educationist. The slow rate of development of this
country is attributed to the low science 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.
Purpose of Study
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. This need is based on
the usefulness of this subject towards the scientific and technological
development of our country.
Significance of the Study
It is
hoped that this would really reveal the factor that affect students’ attitude
towards mathematics. On identification of such factors, student 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 top 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
into problems encountered in the teaching of mathematics in secondary schools.
Scope/Delimitation of Study
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.
Research Questions
In
order to be able to direct this study to specific areas, the following
questions were formulated:
i.
Do most 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?
Limitations
This
study is limited to only S.S.S I and S.S.S II students in five selected
secondary schools in Benin City.
In
administration of questionnaire, the students and only qualified mathematics
teachers in the secondary schools were interviewed.
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