The availability, adequacy and improvisation and the use of instructional resources for teaching mathematics in secondary schools in west pokot district, kenya
International Journal of Humanities and Social Science Invention (IJHSSI) is an international journal intended for professionals and researchers in all fields of Humanities and Social Science. IJHSSI publishes research articles and reviews within the whole field Humanities and Social Science, new teaching methods, assessment, validation and the impact of new technologies and it will continue to provide information on the latest trends and developments in this ever-expanding subject. The publications of papers are selected through double peer reviewed to ensure originality, relevance, and readability. The articles published in our journal can be accessed online.
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International Journal of Humanities and Social Science Invention (IJHSSI) is an international journal intended for professionals and researchers in all fields of Humanities and Social Science. IJHSSI publishes research articles and reviews within the whole field Humanities and Social Science, new teaching methods, assessment, validation and the impact of new technologies and it will continue to provide information on the latest trends and developments in this ever-expanding subject. The publications of papers are selected through double peer reviewed to ensure originality, relevance, and readability. The articles published in our journal can be accessed online.
RESEARCH TRENDS İN EDUCATIONAL TECHNOLOGY İN TURKEY: 2010-2018 YEAR THESIS AN...ijcax
The purpose of this research is the analysis using meta-analysis of studies in the field of Educational
Technology in Turkey and in the field is to demonstrate how to get to that trend. For this purpose, a total of
263 studies were analyzed including 98 theses and 165 articles published between 2010-2018. Purpose
sampling method was used when selecting publications. In the research, while selecting articles and theses;
Turkey addressed; YOK Tez Tarama Database, Journal of Hacettepe University Faculty of Education,
Educational Sciences : Theory & Practice Journal, Education and Science Journal, Elementary Education
Online Journal, The Turkish Online Journal of Education and The Turkish Online Journal of Educational
Technology used in journals. Publications have been reviewed under 11 criteria. Index, year of
publication, research scope, method, education level, sample, number of samples, data collection methods,
analysis techniques, and research tendency, research topics in Educational Technology Research in Turkey
has revealed. The data is interpreted based on percentage and frequency and the results are shown using
the table.
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This research and development was purposed at (1) developing a learning trajectory on fraction
topics by using Realistic Mathematics Education approach in Primary School; and (2) determining the validity,
practicality, and the effectiveness of the learning trajectory. The results of this research were (1) a learning
trajectory on fraction topics in the form of Teacher’s Guide Book and Student’s Book. (2) Teachers’ Guide Book
and the Student’s Book of learning trajectory were considered valid, practical and effective after being judged
by experts in Mathematics Educators, Language Educators, Experienced Teachers and an Educationalist.
Based on the research results, it can be concluded that the learning trajectory on Fraction Topics by using
Realistic Mathematics Education Approach can be effectively used to improve the learning effectiveness on
Fraction Topics in Primary School.
Adopting the experimental research approach and test results of students’ optics unit learning outcomes as
the research tool, this study carried out experimental remedial teaching on 92 research samples who are
grade eight students at a junior high school in Miaoli County to investigate the effects of electric textbooks
on the optics unit learning outcomes of students with low academic achievement. The results suggest that
remedial teaching incorporating electronic textbooks is better than traditional remedial teaching according
to the learning outcomes of the grade eight students of low academic achievement in this study.
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The study attempted to investigate the appraising instructional materials as being used in secondary schools in Uyo Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. The study equally reviewed some important and extensive literatures under sub-headings. The descriptive research survey design was applied in the assessment of respondents’ opinions towards the subject matter. In this study, four null hypotheses were formulated and tested with the application of the independent t-test and the Pearson Product Moment Correltional Coefficient Statistical tools at 0.05 significance level. Also, the simple percentage frequency counts was used to analyse the questionnaire response of the selected respondents together with the research questions. A total of 100 (one hundred) respondents, 50 (fifty) male and 50 (fifty) female teachers were selected for this study. At the end of the data analyses, the following results were obtained: there is a significant relationship between teaching materials and teaching effectiveness among teachers in Akwa Ibom State public schools, there is a relationship between the availability of instructional resources and academic performance of students in public secondary schools in Akwa Ibom State, there is a significant relationship between teaching methods and students’ academic performance in Akwa Ibom State public schools and there is a significant gender in the academic performance of students due to the use of teaching materials in Akwa Ibom State public schools. Based on the conclusions reached at the end of this study, the following recommendations are made by the researcher: There should be allocation of more time to the practical aspects of educational technology in secondary schools, government should subsidise the cost of students’ practical work on Education Technology and graduates from other disciplines coming into teaching profession as a last resort due to high rate of unemployment; should be discouraged. This is because they are not well equipped for the tasks which they are to perform.
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This exploratory study was aimed at evaluating a module on the basis of the constructivist learning strategies to enhance the students’ motivation in Statistics learning. The design and development followed the Universal Design of Learning principles. The design included flexible instructional materials, techniques, and strategies for differentiating instruction which benefited the students of English Education Department taking the Statistics course. The study used a survey covering of 33 students. The students’ and teacher’ responses to questionnaires revealed that the students’ motivation and satisfaction increased toward the Statistics course in which Universal Design of Learning using various means of representation, action, and engagement was applied. It also suggested that the module was effective and that the Universal Design of Learning Model from the learners’ viewpoint put more emphasis on instruction. Its content was suitable in designing and developing module on Statistics in the higher educational context in Indonesia. The study results are expected to reveal information on how to further improve the Statistics teaching and learning quality. The implications of the research are provided along with suggestions.
This study was conducted in an undergraduate level
with the use of e-learning
particularly in analytic geometry to lessen the com
mon fear of Filipino students to
mathematics. Since teen age students used to engros
s themselves with the use of
technology specifically computers, this study maxim
ized the capability of computers
in reducing math anxiety by teaching mathematics su
bject using e-learning thus
improving student academic performance.
ABSTRACT
Many engineering subjects are highly mathematical, analytical and descriptive. To make students understand the basic concepts, theory, analysis, design and application, new teaching-learning systems need to be explored. One of these is the Start-Stop-Continue technique. From the present study, it is concluded that given an ambient environment, the learning process can be made very effective and all the course objectives can be achieved. Action research has helped in empowering the students in acquiring knowledge. With this approach, the students’ performance has improved from mediocre to very
good.
STUDENT’S ATTITUDES TOWARD INTEGRATING MOBILE TECHNOLOGY INTO TRANSLATION ACT...IJITE
Previous research shows that the integration of mobile phones in the classroom is challenging, but numerous studies have also demonstrated that wireless networks and mobile tools to support collaborative learning improve educational outcomes. This study aims to question the feasibility of replicating their research methodology in Taiwanese classrooms. For this purpose, two conventional classes of second year license degree in Applied Foreign Languages were the respondents. The students’ attitudes were observed and their participation was examined through an interview that revealed the perceptions of their learning experiences. The results of this study show that students, when allowed to use their cell phones according to their own needs in a collaborative learning, become more interested in their learning and can improve their English efficiency more than students in the conventional classroom. It is thus recommended that highly advanced technology be integrated with more flexibility to match students’ learning needs and motivations.
This exploratory study was aimed at evaluating a module on the basis of the constructivist learning strategies to enhance the students’ motivation in Statistics learning. The design and development followed the Universal Design of Learning principles. The design included flexible instructional materials, techniques, and strategies for differentiating instruction which benefited the students of English Education Department taking the Statistics course. The study used a survey covering of 33 students. The students’ and teacher’ responses to questionnaires revealed that the students’ motivation and satisfaction increased toward the Statistics course in which Universal Design of Learning using various means of representation, action, and engagement was applied. It also suggested that the module was effective and that the Universal Design of Learning Model from the learners’ viewpoint put more emphasis on instruction. Its content was suitable in designing and developing module on Statistics in the higher educational context in Indonesia. The study results are expected to reveal information on how to further improve the Statistics teaching and learning quality. The implications of the research are provided along with suggestions.
This study was conducted in an undergraduate level
with the use of e-learning
particularly in analytic geometry to lessen the com
mon fear of Filipino students to
mathematics. Since teen age students used to engros
s themselves with the use of
technology specifically computers, this study maxim
ized the capability of computers
in reducing math anxiety by teaching mathematics su
bject using e-learning thus
improving student academic performance.
ABSTRACT
Many engineering subjects are highly mathematical, analytical and descriptive. To make students understand the basic concepts, theory, analysis, design and application, new teaching-learning systems need to be explored. One of these is the Start-Stop-Continue technique. From the present study, it is concluded that given an ambient environment, the learning process can be made very effective and all the course objectives can be achieved. Action research has helped in empowering the students in acquiring knowledge. With this approach, the students’ performance has improved from mediocre to very
good.
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The availability, adequacy and improvisation and the use of instructional resources for teaching mathematics in secondary schools in west pokot district, kenya
1. Journal of Education and Practice www.iiste.org
ISSN 2222-1735 (Paper) ISSN 2222-288X (Online)
Vol.5, No.20, 2014
143
The Availability, Adequacy and Improvisation and the Use of
Instructional Resources for Teaching Mathematics in Secondary
Schools in West Pokot District, Kenya
Koros C. Symon1*
Mubichakani M. Joseph2
1. PhD Student, school of Education, University of Eldoret, Po box 192, Kitale 30200, Kenya
2. PhD Student, school of Education, University of Eldoret, Po box 9537, Eldoret 30100, Kenya
*Email of second author: kosyche@yahoo.com
E-mail of corresponding author: joemukuyuni@gmail.com
Abstract
This study examined the factors that influence the use of instructional resources/materials in the teaching of
mathematics in secondary schools. Among the instructional materials that were investigated in their use are:
Textbooks and mathematical tables. The study focused on their use in terms of their availability, adequacy and
improvisation. The research design that was used in the study is descriptive survey. The research instruments
included questionnaire, interview schedules and document analysis. The sampling techniques that were used in
this research are stratified, simple random and purposive sampling. The respondents comprised 24 mathematics
teachers and 372 form two students. Four teachers were interviewed. Data analysis was done by use of
descriptive statistics. The study revealed that the selected instructional materials are not adequate. The main
recommendations are that school administrators, teachers, students and parents should be sensitized on the
importance of provision of instructional materials adequately.
Keywords: Availability, Adequacy, Improvisation, Use and Instructional Resources (textbooks and
mathematical tables).
INTRODUCTION
Brown, Lewis, Richard and Harcleroad (1985) assert that, instructional materials and aids are an essential
requirement for successful teaching. Many teachers find that seeking and finding resources that produce results
when students use them is a distinct pleasure among the multitude of teaching details. Use of teaching and
learning materials activates students and as they learn actively, the teacher can enjoy the evidence of their
progress.
The benefits that accrue from effective use of instructional materials abound. Instructional materials when used
well make the entire teaching and learning processes complete and functional. They facilitate the understanding
of difficult concepts and principles. Ideally, they make it easier for learners to follow, understand, respond to
and retain content of the lesson (Gamble 1984) .At College and university, student teachers are required to learn
how to make and use simple and cheap teaching aids. They are also trained to operate and use sophisticated
media resources such as radios, tape recorders, overhead projectors and sometimes the computers.
Kilundo (2002) observes that, it is impossible to have meaningful teaching and learning in schools in the absence
of these teaching materials. Lack of teaching materials can hinder any teaching programme from operating with
desired efficiency. He argues that while both experience and available literature would support the view that
materials are associated with high academic achievement, there is no need just to verify, but to study the efficacy
of those materials in the wider context of school quality.
This study concentrated on the use textbooks and mathematical tables in the teaching mathematics. The
consideration of the above instructional resources was necessitated by the fact that they are the most common
and readily available in secondary schools. They are also recommended by the Kenya Institute of Education
(KIE 2002) a branch of the Ministry of Education that assesses and recommends all the instructional resources to
use in teaching in secondary schools.
Significance of the Study
This study can be helpful in that it can contribute to identifying if there are any problems and inadequacies of the
present training of teachers of mathematics in colleges and universities. This is especially in the use of the
readily available resources for teaching mathematics. It will also benefit mathematics teachers in identifying the
shortcomings in their instructional methods. It is also hoped that the findings will be useful to the Quality
Assurance Officers (QASOs) in the Ministry of Education who are responsible for curriculum development,
interpretation and implementation.
The Kenya Institute of Education (KIE) which is mainly concerned with recommendation of important
instructional resources to be used in schools will also benefit. This study is also geared towards identifying areas
where teachers and students lack the skill in the use of readily available instructional materials and where
necessary how improvisation can be helpful. It can go a long way in improving students’ achievement in
2. Journal of Education and Practice www.iiste.org
ISSN 2222-1735 (Paper) ISSN 2222-288X (Online)
Vol.5, No.20, 2014
144
mathematics.
REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE
Textbooks
Ornstein (1995) says that traditionally the textbook has been the most frequently used instructional material at all
levels beyond the primary grades, and in some cases it is the only one used by the teacher.
Brown et al. (1985) on the other hand also says that a textbook is a versatile product. It provides convenient and
random access to the message it contains; learners control the process by which they gain information they seek.
Miheso (2004) further comes up with five patterns that characterize textbook utilization, they are;
• The traditional pattern is to use the textbook as a source of homework assignments, either for reading or
various types of exercises.
• Related to the use of the textbook as a source of problem on their own; a pattern common in
mathematics instruction.
• Textbooks may be used as the primary source of instruction, allowing their content and structure to
determine the nature and arrangement of the course. Two or more textbooks may be used in conjunction
with one another as the basis of instruction.
• A variation of this is the multi- text approach, where single text is replaced by a classroom collection of
a variety of textbooks. Student functioning in this mode must make use of the classroom textbook
collection, but are free to choose the particular text they find most useful.
• Lastly, textbooks can be used as supplementary materials with reading matter or exercises from them
incorporated where appropriate to expand upon or elucidate materials presented via instructional means.
The contribution of good mathematics textbook
The mathematics textbook is a major factor in determining what mathematics topics are taught and how they are
taught. Teachers consult the textbook than the syllabus. It dictates the scope, the sequence and pace of
mathematics programme (Brown, et al. 1985).
The text should be selected on the basis of prior curriculum decisions. The following are some of the
justifications for continued use of textbooks in mathematics instruction according to Brown, et al. (1985).
• It provides most of the content for a course. As such, it should contain appropriate mathematically
correct topics presented in readable and orderly manner.
• It presents topics in a manner that builds understanding of concepts, structures, problem solving and
computations. It is a tool to achieve objectives of the course.
• It provides exercises, experiences and directions for attaining mastery through practice, review,
application and thought provoking questions.
• It provides means for individualized study, and thus is useful for assignments, make-up-work and
remedial instruction.
• Mathematical tables, definitions, formulae theorems and proofs are available in textbook to make
problem solving useful.
• It provides the basis for achievement testing. This is obtained from end of chapter, unit and topic tests.
• It provides for uniformity of the level of learners from one point to another.
Mathematical Tables
From the Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia, mathematical tables are lists of numbers showing the results of
calculation with varying arguments to simplify and drastically speed up computation. Table of trigonometric
functions were first known to be made by Hippaichus. Tables of common logarithms and antilogarithms were
used to do rapid multiplications, divisions, and exponentiations including the extraction of the nth roots.
Table of special functions are still in use. For example, the use of tables of values of the cumulative distribution
function of the normal distribution remains common place today, especially in schools and colleges. Also from
the Wikipedia the free encyclopedia, a table is both a mode of visual communication and a means of arranging
data. The use of tables is pervasive throughout all communication, research and data analysis.
The tables appear in print media, handwritten notes, computer software, architectural ornamentation, traffic signs
and many other places. The precise conventions and terminology for describing tables varies depending on the
context. Moreover, tables differ significantly in variety, structure, flexibility, notation, representation and use.
This study looked at the mathematical tables which according to definition by Too (1996) is a multipurpose
handbook which provide computer worked out logarithms and antilogarithms of numbers, trigonometric values,
reciprocals of numbers, squares and square roots of numbers, radians, mathematical formula etcetera.
The handbook provides tables of the areas mentioned above and assist the learner to simplify and speed up
calculations.
In most cases, the handbook is a requirement for each and every high school student.
This may be attributed to the fact that mathematics is a compulsory subject (Ministry of Education Syllabus,
3. Journal of Education and Practice www.iiste.org
ISSN 2222-1735 (Paper) ISSN 2222-288X (Online)
Vol.5, No.20, 2014
145
1992).
The oldest known mathematical table was found in the ancient Sumerian city of
Shuruppag in Southern Iraq. Since then, tables have been important feature of mathematical activity and are
important precursors to modern computing and information processing.
RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODOLOGY
The research design used in this study is descriptive survey. Descriptive survey is a method of collecting
information by interviewing or administering a questionnaire to a sample of individuals (Orodho, 2002). Four
teachers were interviewed. To collect information from other teachers, a teachers’ questionnaire was used and 24
teachers filled the questionnaire. Also, 372 students in form two classes filled the students’ questionnaire.
Area of the Study
The study was carried out in West Pokot District. It is one of the districts in Rift Valley province covering an
area of approximately 9100 sq. km. The district lies in the North Western part of Kenya bordered by Uganda to
the West, Turkana District to the North, Marakwet District to the East and Trans-Nzoia to the South. There are
27 secondary schools, five of which are provincial, twenty are district and two are private.
Population
The study focused on mathematics teachers and forms two students in secondary schools in West Pokot District.
According to the records obtained from DEOs office, there were 63 mathematics teachers and 1910 form two
students in the district.
Sampling Procedure
Stratified random sampling was used in this study. For the purpose of getting a representative sample, schools
were categorized into three groups, namely, provincial, district and private schools. They were labeled A, B and
C respectively. The provincial schools were further grouped into boys’ and girls’ school of which each was
represented. To obtain a boys’ or a girls’ school, purposive sampling was used. Two boys’ and two girls’ schools
were purposely picked to represent population of provincial schools. Purposive sampling was used because of
convenience but it was deemed that the picked sample represented the population.
The district schools were categorized into three, namely; boys’ girls’ and mixed schools. Two boys’, two mixed
and one girl’s schools were purposely picked to be the sample to represent district schools. Only one private
school was used since it is the only one which had reached form two, the other had a form one class only. The
categories were meant to ensure that each and every type of school was represented.
Proportionate random sampling and simple random sampling were used to select the form two students whom
the questionnaire was administered to. Fifty questionnaires were administered in each provincial school because
they are three streamed. This is because in a classroom there are between 40 and 50 students and therefore a
provincial school with three streams will have a maximum of 150 students. In that case, the 50 form two students
who were randomly selected across the streams to fill the questionnaire. This number formed at least the
recommended 30% of the population which is an adequate sample size that was required. The same criterion was
used in district schools and 30 questionnaires were administered in two streamed and 20 were administered in
one streamed school. The same criteria also applied to the private school. The students who filled the
questionnaire were picked by simple random sampling in form two classes.
Research Instruments
The collection of data was done by use of questionnaire, interviews, and document analysis.
Questionnaires
The researcher developed a questionnaire based on the objectives and research questions. The questionnaire
comprised of structured and unstructured questions.
Two types of questionnaires were constructed, namely, the Mathematics Teachers Questionnaire (MTQ) and
Form Two Students Questionnaire (FTSQ).
The MTQ was divided into TWO sections. Section A and B which comprised of:
A- Schools’ and Teachers’ background information
B- Teaching and learning resources for mathematics. Questions for each selected instructional material
were separately developed. The questionnaire contained items that covered each of the selected
instructional material based on adequacy and improvisation, quality and relevance, teachers’ and
students’ attitudes towards them and their maintenance and storage.
The FTSQ comprised of structured and unstructured questions concerning the selected instructional materials.
These questions were meant to capture the students’ awareness and ability to use instructional resources.
Interviews
Interviews were conducted informally with structured questions. The Heads of Departments (HODS) for
4. Journal of Education and Practice www.iiste.org
ISSN 2222-1735 (Paper) ISSN 2222-288X (Online)
Vol.5, No.20, 2014
146
Mathematics were interviewed and incase of their absence one mathematics teacher was interviewed. The
responses were used to analyse data qualitatively. This involved, summarizing and explaining key issues
recorded by the researcher. The interviews took forty to fifty minutes for every teacher.
Document Analysis
The documents that were analyzed included; teachers’ and students’ records, inventories, book issue lists,
schemes of work lesson plans, and records of work covered. Teachers’ and students’ records showed the number
of mathematics teachers and students enrolled in form two in the district. Inventories showed items bought by
school administration but of concern were the instructional resources. Book issue lists showed how books were
shared among the students. Schemes of work, lesson plan and records of work covered gave information on the
instructional resources teachers use in teaching mathematics.
Data Collection
Simple random sampling was used to select students whom the questionnaire was administered to across the
form two classrooms. Equal numbers of questionnaire were given to each stream if the school was two or three
streamed.
Interviews were conducted with the HODs and teachers present and willing. The interviews were semi-structured
because they involved informal interaction between the researcher and the teachers in their respective offices. In
total, four teachers were interviewed, one from provincial school, two from two different district schools and one
from a private school.
Data Analysis and Presentation
In the research, descriptive (quantitative) statistics, and qualitative techniques were used to analyze the data. In
this study the quantitative statistics used were mean, frequencies and percentages. This study also used
qualitative techniques to analyze data collected from content analysis and interview schedules. Presentation of
data was done by use of graphical techniques i.e. use of frequency tables.
FINDINGS
Demographic profile of the respondents
Among the 372 form two students who responded to the questionnaire, there were 196 from provincial schools,
156 from district schools and 20 from the private school.
Table 1 shows the number of teachers who respondent to the MTQ in relation to the type of schools they taught.
Table 1: Demographic profiles of Teacher Respondents
Type of school Frequency Percentage
Provincial
District
Private
15
8
1
62.5
33.3
4.2
Total 24 100.0
The total number of teachers who filled the questionnaire was 24, of which 62.5% came from provincial schools
while 33.3% and 4.2% came from district and private schools respectively. This implies that majority of the
respondents taught in provincial schools which had higher population compared to the district and private
schools.
Types of Textbooks Used in Teaching Mathematics.
Teachers were asked to give the types of textbooks they use in teaching mathematics
form two classes. Their responses are summarized in Table 2
Table 2: Teachers’ Responses on Types of Textbooks Used For Teaching Mathematics in Form 2
Type of textbook Frequency Percent
KLB
Advancing in Mathematics
21
3
87.5
12.5
Total 24 100.0
KEY: KLB- Secondary Mathematics students Book 2 Schools by Kenya Literature Bureau
Table 2 shows the main textbooks that secondary school mathematics teachers use for instructional purposes.
The Secondary Mathematics Form 2 Book (KLB) was the most preferred and 87.5% of teachers listed as a main
textbook, 12.5% used Advancing in Mathematics for Secondary schools. The Secondary Mathematics Students
Book 2 (KLB) is used by many teachers and students probably because it is the textbook approved by the
Ministry of Education through the Kenya Institute of Education.
On the other hand, students were also asked to name the textbook they and their teachers always used. Their
responses are depicted in Table 3.
5. Journal of Education and Practice www.iiste.org
ISSN 2222-1735 (Paper) ISSN 2222-288X (Online)
Vol.5, No.20, 2014
147
Table 3: Students’ Response s on the Textbook Mostly Used For Teaching Mathematics
Responses Frequency Percent
KLB
Advancing in Mathematics
No response
333
25
14
89.5
6.7
3.8
Total 372 100.0
KEY:
KLB: Mathematics for secondary schools by KLB.
Table 3 also shows that 89.5% of students in the sample used Mathematics for Secondary School (KLB). Only
6.7% used Advancing in Mathematics Form 2 textbook. This correlates highly with the teachers’ responses in
table 2 though 3.8% of students never responded.
Adequacy of Textbooks
To determine if the textbooks used by students were enough, students were required to state the number of
students who shared a copy. Their reactions are noted in Table 4.
Table 4: Student - Textbooks Ratio
Number of students who share a copy of
textbook
Numbers of students Percent
5 student per copy
2 Students per copy
3 students per copy
4 students per copy
1 students per copy
144
111
58
54
5
38.7
29.9
15.6
14.5
1.3
Total 372 100
Table 4 shows how students share the textbooks they use in classroom. Among the 372 students 38.7%
indicated that 5 students shared one copy, 29.9% noted that they shared two students a copy, 15.6% of students
noted that they shared three students a copy, 14.5% of students indicated that they shared four students a copy
while only 1.3% indicated that each student had his or her own copy.
Availability and Use of Mathematical Tables
Students and teachers were asked to indicate if they possessed a mathematical table.
Their responses are shown in tables 5 and 6 respectively.
Table 5: Students’ Possession of Mathematical Tables
Possessing a mathematical table Number of students Percent
Yes
No
No response
306
62
4
82.2
16.7
1.1
Total 372 100.0
For mathematical table, 82.2% of students who responded to the questionnaire had their own mathematics tables,
16.7% indicated that they did not have while 1.1% never responded.
Table 6: Teachers’ Possession of Mathematical Tables
Possession of mathematical tables Number of teachers Percent
Having own
Borrowing from colleagues
Borrow from students
22
2
0
91.7
8.3
0
24 100.0
Majority of the teachers, that is, 91.7% possess mathematical tables and 8.3% borrow from colleagues. The fact
that most students and teachers possess mathematical tables shows that they have enough for use.
Teachers were asked to state how they assisted students who had problems in using mathematical tables. The
responses are shown in table 7.
Table 7: Ways of Guiding Students who do not know How to Use Mathematical Tables
Ways of helping students Frequency Percent
Remedial lessons and illustrations
Individual guidance
No response
Discussion
More assignments given
12
5
3
2
2
50.0
20.9
12.5
8.3
8.3
Total 24 100.0
6. Journal of Education and Practice www.iiste.org
ISSN 2222-1735 (Paper) ISSN 2222-288X (Online)
Vol.5, No.20, 2014
148
Table 7 shows that 50.0% of teachers assist students through remedial lessons and illustrations, 20.9% by
individual guidance, 8.3% through discussion, 8.3% by giving more assignments and 12.5% never responded.
All the approaches above can assist students to gain skills of reading mathematical tables. Those who did not
respond could imply that they do not assist their students.
CONCLUSIONS
The study found out that the textbooks used in teaching mathematics are mainly two types, namely; Secondary
Mathematics Form 2 Book by Kenya Literature Bureau and Advancing in Mathematics by Kinyua, Maina and
Wandera. This information is inferred from Table 2 and 3. When the researcher interviewed Mr. Shamoi
Charles Rotich a mathematics teacher at Ortum Secondary School on 4th
May 2008 on why he used Mathematics
for Secondary Schools by KLB, Shamoi noted that the book was simple in language and follows the syllabus and
therefore it is very convenient to use it. This argument can also be given by other teachers. For the students, the
reason could be, because their teacher selected it.
The student- textbook ratio is quite high. From Table 4 over two thirds (68.8%) of students indicated that more
than three students shared a single textbook. This implies that the textbooks used for teaching mathematics are
not enough. In most cases, any ratio of more than two students per copy of a textbook is inappropriate because
some students may not access it. This makes the teaching and learning processes difficult.
Eshiwani (1983) noted that owning a personal mathematics textbook has been found to have a positive
relationship with performance. The inadequate number of textbooks affects the performance of students
negatively. In that note, students should be encouraged to buy own copies if they can afford so as to supplement
those that schools buy. Textbooks cannot be improvised but the inadequacy can be negated by teachers using
group work teaching and writing assignments on the chalkboard. On interviewing Mr. Chemweno Zephania, the
Head of Mathematics Department at Tartar girls’ Secondary School on 5th
May 2008, he noted that group work
encourages students to learn mathematics but group work is also good when textbooks are few.
Mathematical table is an important component of mathematics instruction at all levels in high school. Over 80%
of students noted that they possessed a mathematical table. This is shown in Table 5. This implies that
mathematical tables are not enough because it is a requirement for each and every student. Mr. Shamoi posits
“ not all students have mathematical tables, when examinations are on, they borrow. They are also
advised to have them when required and normally they borrow from students in other classes who may
not be requiring them at that period. They have been advised to have them but some do not have”
The fact that each and every student does not possess a mathematical table means that they have difficulty in
learning some mathematical concepts
Recommendations
The research findings have been illustrated from the discussions of findings and the conclusions. The following
are some of the recommendations made from the findings.
Textbooks form the basis of any teaching and learning of mathematics in secondary schools. The shortage of
textbooks is detrimental to instructional process and teaching and learning objectives can rarely be achieved. The
textbooks must be adequate for any meaningful learning to take place.
If possible a variety of textbooks recommended by the Ministry of Education may provide the best recipe for
students to learn mathematics. Teachers should not take Secondary Mathematics Form 2 Book by KLB as the
sole textbook. There are other textbooks approved by the Ministry of Education and they can also be used. Some
of the textbooks are, Advancing Mathematics for Secondary Schools , Discovering Mathematics,
Comprehensive Mathematics , General Mathematics and many others should be included in teaching
mathematics and not only used as reference materials or sources of assignments. This enables the teachers and
students to experience a variety of methods of solving mathematical problems and different ways of applicability
of mathematics in real life situations. There are no textbooks that can have exactly the same approach in solving
mathematical problems.
REFERENCES
Brown, J. W., Lewis, Richard B., & Harcleroad F. (1985). Av. Instruction Technology Media and Methods.
New York. McGraw-Hill Book Company.
Eshiwani, G. S (1983). An Investigation into the Use of Programmed Materials in Teaching Probability to
Kenyan High School students. (Bureau of Education Research, Kenyatta University).
Gamble, K.T. (1984). Communication Works. New York. Random House Inc.
Kilundo, J.M. (2002). Evaluation of Instructional Materials and their Use in Power Mechanics and Drawing
and Design in Kenyan Secondary Schools. M.Phil Thesis Moi University.
Miheso, O. (2004) Textbook Analysis (Unpublished Paper Facilitated During Cycle 4 of SMASSE INSET 2004).
Ministry of Education (1992). Secondary School Syllabus Volume 7. Nairobi. KLB
7. Journal of Education and Practice www.iiste.org
ISSN 2222-1735 (Paper) ISSN 2222-288X (Online)
Vol.5, No.20, 2014
149
Ornstein, A.C (1995). Strategies for Effective Teaching. Mexico. Brown and Benchmark Publishers.
Orodho, A.J. (2002). Essentials of Educational and Social Science Research Methods.
Nairobi. Malosa Publisher.
Too, J.K. (1996). A Survey of the Availability and Use of Media Resources in Mathematics Instruction. The Case
of Secondary Schools in Nandi District Kenya (M.Phil. Thesis Moi University)
Koros C. Symon was born in Bomet County in 1972. He joined Sikhendu Primary School in 1978 and later on
Kapenguria Primary School where he did his Kenya Certificate of Primary Education (KCPE). He joined
Kericho High School and later on Lukhuna Secondary where he did his Kenya Certificate of Secondary
Education (KCSE) in 1990. In 1992, he joined Kenyatta University and graduated in 1996 with a B.ED (Arts)
degree. He taught Mathematics and Geography in high school until 2006 when he enrolled for Master of
Philosophy in Educational Communication and Technology(Mathematics Education). Currently he is a part time
lecturer at Mt. Kenya University- Kitale campus and a Doctorate student of Educational Communication and
Technology (Mathematics Education) at University of Eldoret (UOE). Koros has published a book with Lambert
Academic Publishers and with a journal of International Institute for Science Technology and Education. Vol. 2,
2012.
Mubichakani M. Joseph was born in 1983 in Bungoma County. He joined Kamusinde F.Y.M School and did his
Kenya Certificate of Primary Education in 1997. He joined Kimilili Boys’ High School in 1998 where he did his
Kenya Certicate of Secondary Education in 2001. He was in Moi University for his undergraduate from 2003 to
2007 and graduated with B. ED (Arts) degree. Currently, he is a PhD student in Mathematics Education at
University of Eldoret. He holds a degree of Master of Philosophy in Educational Communication and
Technology (Mathematics Education) from Moi University. He is also computer literate having trained at
Millennium Research Consultant and practicing it in his lecturing and research. He is a part time lecturer at
University of Eldoret and Moi University. Mubichakani has an experience of teaching mathematics courses both
at degree and diploma level at Mt Kenya University for more than two years. He has also taught Mathematics
Education course at University of Eldoret and Moi University. Mubichakani has published a book with Lambert
Academic Publishing.
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