Effects of van Hiele’s phase-based teaching strategy and gender on pre-service mathematics teachers’ attitude towards geometry in Niger State, Nigeria

The study investigated the effects of van Hiele’s phase-based teaching strategy and gender on pre-service mathematics teacher attitude towards geometry in Niger state, Nigeria. The study employed pre-test and post-test quasi-experimental design using a two-by-two (2x2) factorial matrix with one experimental and control group. The experimental group was exposed to Van Hiele’s phase-based teaching strategy while the control group was taught the same topics with conventional teaching strategy. Three null hypotheses with corresponding research question were formulated to guide the study. Attitudes Towards Geometry questionnaire (ATGQ) was the instrument employed to collect data from 149 sampled pre-service mathematics teachers from the two colleges of education situated in Niger State, Nigeria. The sample colleges were selected using purposive sampling technique.  A reliability coefficient of 0.73 was obtained for Attitudes Towards Geometry questionnaire.  Two-way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) was employed in analysing the data at 0.05 level of significance. The results of the study revealed that van Hiele’s phase-based teaching strategy is more effective in improving pre-service mathematics teachers’ attitude towards geometry. It was recommended among others, that since van Hiele phase-based teaching strategy was found to be effective in enhancing pre-service mathematics teacher attitude towards geometry, the strategy should be employed by lecturers in course of teaching students. The teacher education programme should be geared towards training of mathematics lecturers to learn van Hiele phase-based teaching strategy as it supports effective teaching and learning which thereby improving learners’ attitudes towards learning geometry

Kebolehan penyelesaian persamaan linear: satu kerangka dalam penaksiran bilik darjah

Purpose – This paper discussed the development of a framework based on SOLO model (Structure of the Observed Learning Outcome) to characterise students’ linear equation solving ability in arithmetic sequence domain. Method – This study is categorised as a case study. Data of this study was collected using clinical interview technique. Subjects of this study consisted of nine Form Four students. Two out of eight interview tasks constructed as instrument of this research involved the arithmetic sequence domain. Findings – Six levels of linear equation solving ability in solving arithmetic sequence tasks, namely prestructural level, unistructural level, multistructural level, lower relational level, upper relational level, and extended abstract level were identified. The validity related to the assessment and refinement of descriptors in the framework had shown the high consistency and correspondence between the framework and the subjects’ responses. Value – This study extends the mathematics education literature(especially in assessment field) about the effectiveness of SOLO model in developing an assessment framework to assess student’s solving ability in linear equation

Problem Solving Strategies among Primary School Teachers

The purpose of this article was to examine problem solving strategies among primary school teachers. The researchers employed survey research design to examine their problem solving strategies. The participants of this study consisted of 120 primary school teachers from a public university in Peninsula Malaysia who enrolled in a 4-year Graduating Teachers Program (Program Pensiswazahan Guru) majored in mathematics. Purposive sampling technique was used to select these participants. This article presents the analysis of the responses of the participants related to a particular problem, namely fencing problem. Result of the study suggests that 79.2% of the participants have successfully solved the fencing problem. They employed various problem solving strategies: (i) trial-and-error (also known as guess-and-check), (ii) using algebra, (iii) making tables, charts or systematic list, (iv) drawing diagrams, (v) identifying pattern, and (vi) logical reasoning. Result of the study also suggests that 85% of the participants used same strategy to check their solutions for the fencing problem without being probed. The implications of the results were also discussed. Keywords: problem solving strategies, primary school teachers, survey research design

Preservice teachers’ assessment knowledge: Do teaching experiences make a difference?

This study aimed to statistically compare preservice teachers’ assessment knowledge in crafting assessment task and selecting assessment method in relation to their teaching experience. This study involved 397 preservice teachers’ who were final year undergraduate students in a local university. The instrument of data collection consisted of eight superitems test. Data collected was analysed by using statistical method (SPSS version 22.0). The result showed that preservice teachers for all categories of teaching experience performed better in the selecting assessment method than crafting assessment task. However, there was no significant differences existed between the three categories of teaching experience of preservice teachers for both standards of assessment knowledge assessed

Effects of Brain-Based Teaching Approach Integrated with GeoGebra (BGeo Module) on Students’ Conceptual Understanding

The Brain-Based Teaching Approach is a strategy that implements methods from a brain-based learning (BBL) model. This approach was designed to be compatible with the inclinations and optimal functions of the individual brain to ensure that students can learn effectively. The module uses the Brain-Based Teaching Approach integrated with GeoGebra Software (B-Geo Module) to help students’ conceptual understanding of the topic of differentiation. Therefore, this study aims to explore the possible effects of the Brain-Based Teaching Approach with the integration of GeoGebra Software on conceptual understanding of the topic of differentiation in rural secondary schools in Malaysia. This study used a quasidesign of pre-test and post-test experiments involving 118 form 4 students from rural secondary schools. The researchers used cluster sampling techniques for school selection and intact group for sample selection. The school selection was divided into two groups, namely, the control group using conventional information and communication technology (ICT) modules and the experimental group using the B-Geo Module. The instrument used was the Conceptual Understanding Test of Differentiation. The results of the data analysis show that the conceptual understanding of the topic of differentiation amongst rural secondary school students increased when using the Brain-Based Teaching Approach with the integration of GeoGebra Software