Pedagogical Factors Affecting The Learning Of Trigonometry In Secondary Schools In Gatundu North Sub-County, Kiambu County, Kenya

ABSTRACT

Trigonometry topics are very important in mathematics education as trigonometric functions have many applications in fields such as adverse physics, mechanical and electrical engineering, music, astronomy and biology. Any challenges encountered by students in learning affect overall performance in the subject. The purpose of the study was to determine the pedagogical factors affecting learning of the topic in secondary schools and recommendation made. The objectives of the study were: To determine the teaching methods applied that enhance students’ participation, the use of instructional resources available and adequacy, students’ attitude toward the topic, challenges encountered by students when learning and kind of classroom interaction patterns. The study was descriptive statistical survey focusing on F3 students and their mathematics teachers. Stratified sampling technique was used to select the 7 secondary schools from the three categories of the 27 schools in the district. Simple random sampling was used to select a F3 stream where there were more than one stream. Otherwise it was purposively selected. Data was collected using the instruments: Mathematics teachers’ questionnaire, Mathematics students’ questionnaire, Head of mathematics interview schedule and Flanders Interaction Analysis Categories. T he Reliability and Validity was done using Test-Retest method during piloting on two different schools which were not used for research actual data collection within time frame of two weeks. The correlation coefficient was 0.85 positive. Data from the questionnaires and classroom observation were analyzed both qualitatively and quantitatively. Qualitative analysis was involved in making inferences from open ended response questions. Quantitative analysis involved descriptive statistics indicating the factors affecting the learning of trigonometry by students. Results of the study findings indicated that teachers were not using teaching methods that encourage students’ participation as indicated by 50% of respondents who preferred using lecture and demonstration compared 7% for discussion, the instruction resources were inadequate as indicated by 34% of students, students had negative attitude towards the topic as indicated by71.4%.The main challenges encountered by students when drawing graphs were lack of understanding of the concept and failure to choose a suitable scale. The teachers’ dominated classroom interaction pattern taking two thirds of the lesson and hence limiting students’ participation. Recommendation: Teachers should integrate both expository and heuristic approaches thus increase students’ active participation in teaching and learning. SMASSE activities need to be incorporated in the learning process. Students need both intrinsic and extrinsic motivation to help them change their attitude. School administrators should be ensuring the instructional resources for students are readily available and adequate. If the above recommendation can be implemented there will be improved performance in trigonometry topic and hence overall performance in mathematics at KCSE level