Teaching, Learning Resources And Pupils' Performance In Mathematics In Secondary Schools In Chinato Division Koria East District Kenya

ABSTRACT

This study set out to investigate the impact of learning resources on the academic performance of pupils in mathematics, in Secondary school, Kuria East district Kenya. The study followed an experimental research design, using both the pre-test and post test scores of the experimental and control groups. Random sampling was used to assign 27 pupils to the experimental group and 27 to the control class, making a total sample size of 54 pupils. But purposive sampling was also used to select 10 teachers especially those who teach mathematics. Three instruments were employed in data collection one was a test result mark list for both the control and experimental group and pre-tested post test scores. The second was a researcher made questionnaire and an interview, for mainly the teachers. The student's samples to test were the major technique used to test he null hypotheses of the study frequency tables and cross-tabulations were also used in the analysis. The study found out that students learn more when they are doing, which implied using learning resources (80% of teachers views). Also 70% of teachers showed that pupils learn more when they are seeing and listening. Other factors that teachers are pupils' attitude (90%), environment (90%) teacher factors (90%) home factors (90%), learner's motivation and readiness (80% ). The findings also showed that learning resources have a positive input on pupils' performance in mathematics, but it's not statistically significant (t = -0.812 and p = 274 for the pre-test and post-test scores, and t = -0.802 and p = 0.284) for the experimental and control classes, post test results). The researcher concluded that teachers and pupils prefer to teach and learn touching and seeing learning resources, however learning resources a loan cannot boost performance, unless they are supplemented by other factors like positive pupils attitude, good environment, good experienced teachers, motivation, pupils readiness, willingness and home background. The researcher recommended that the relevance, suitability and applicability of learning resources should be tested before they are applied, and that learning resources should provided together with improvement in other factors like teacher experience / raining, pupils' attitude environment, motivation and parents contributions where resources are adequately provided without considering those factors, they (learning resources) may not significantly boost pupils performance as expected.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

DECLARATION ................................................................................................................. .i

APPROVAL ....................................................................................................................... ii

Signed .................................................................................................................... ii

Date .............................................................................................................................. ii

DEDICATION ................................................................................................................... iii

ACKNOWLEGEMENT .................................................................................................... .iv

TABLE OF CONTENTS .................................................................................................... V

LIST OF ABBREVIATION ............................................................................................. vii

ABSTRUCT .................................................................................................................... viii

CHAPTER ONE .................................................................................................................. l

INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................................... 1

l .0introduction .................................................................................................................... 1

1.1 Background of the Study ............................................................................................... 1

1.2 Problem Statement. ........................................................................................................ 3

1.3 Purpose of the Study ...................................................................................................... 4

1.4 Objective of the study .................................................................................................... 4

1.5 Research Questions ........................................................................................................ 4

1.6 Null Hypothesis ............................................................................................................. 5

1. 7 Significance of the Study ............................................................................................... 5

CHAPTER TWO ................................................................................................................. 7

LITERATURE REVIEW .................................................................................................... 7

2.0 Introduction ................................................................................................................... 7

2.1 Theoretical Framework .................................................................................................. 7

2.2 How Children Learn Mathematics ................................................................................ 8

2.3 Factors That Affect Children Leaming of Mathematics ............................................. 10

2.4 The Available Leaming Resources in School ............................................................. 12

V

2.5 The Effect of Leaming Resources on Pupils Academic Performance in Mathematics

........................................................................................................................................... 13

CHAPTER THREE ........................................................................................................... 15

RESEARCH METHOPDOLOGY .................................................................................... 15

3.0 Introduction ................................................................................................................. 15

3.1 Research Design .......................................................................................................... 15

3 .2 Research Environment ................................................................................................. 15

3 .3 Population and Sample ................................................................................................ 16

3 .4 Research Instrument .................................................................................................... 16

3.5 Methods of Data Analysis ........................................................................................... 17

CHAPTER FOUR ............................................................................................................. 18

DATA PRESENTATION, ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATION ............................... 18

4.0 Introduction ....................................................................................................... 18

4.1 Data Description .......................................................................................................... 18

4.1.1 Description of Respondents According to Gender ................................................... 18

4.1.2 Description of Pupils by Class Group Attended ....................................................... 19

4.1.3 Description of Marks by pre-test post test Groups ................................................... 20

4.2 How Children Learn Mathematics .............................................................................. 21

CHAPTER FIVE ............................................................................................................... 28

SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION .......................................... 28

5.0 Introduction ................................................................................................................. 28

5.lSummary of Major Findings ......................................................................................... 28

5.2 Conclusion ................................................................................................................... 29

5.3 Recommendations ....................................................................................................... 30

5.4 Areas for Further Research .......................................................................................... 31

REFERENCES .................................................................................................................. 32

APPENDICES ................................................................................................................... 33