Abstract

EFFECTS OF GENERATIVE LEARNING STRATEGY ON STUDENTS? UNDERSTANDING AND PERFORMANCE IN GEOMETRY IN LAFIA METROPOLIS, NASARAWA STATE, NIGERIA

Thomas D. Bot (Ph. D)

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Abstract In Nigeria, students have or experience a lot of difficulties in understanding mathematics due to the use of traditional methods in teaching mathematics, and as a result, they often perfom poorly in classroom tests and general mathematics examinations especially in those conducted externally by recognized examining bodies such as the West African Examinations Council (WAEC). There is, therefore, the need to explore new methods, techniques or strategies through which students? understanding of mathematics especially geometry, being a major branch of mathematics in the secondary school in Nigeria, could be enhanced in order to improve their performance in mathematics as whole. This study thus examined the effects of using generative learning strategy on students? understanding and performance in geometry using pretest and posttest quasi-experimental research design. The sample for the study comprised of 133 SSII students selected using purposive sampling technique from two public senior secondary schools in Lafia Metropolis, Nasarawa state, Nigeria. Data were collected using geometry understanding and performance test (GUPT) consisting of 10 non-restricted multi-staged open-ended geometry questions with a reliability index of 0.73 using split-half reliability method. The findings from the study revealed among other things that the experimental group (Mean = 28.82; SD = 13.23) significantly outperformed the control group (Mean = 18.45; SD = 7.51) at ? = 0.000 ? p-value = 0.05; the mean score difference between males (Mean = 31.07; SD = 12.82) and females (Mean = 25.00; SD = 13.27) in the experimental group is not statistically significant at ? = 0.999 ? p-value = 0.05 implying that gender has no significant influence on the treatment; and the interaction effect of the treatment is not statistically significant [F(2, 132)=0.960, ? = 0.386 ? p = 0.05]. It was recommended among other things that mathematics teachers in Nigeria should adopt generative learning strategy in mathematics instruction in the secondary school. Key Words: Mathematics, Education, Teaching, Students, Generative, Learning, Strategy

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