Abstract

STRATEGIES FOR AROUSING STUDENTS? INTEREST IN MATHEMATICS

Owora N.O and Chika C. U

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Abstract The research surveyed the strategies for arousing students? interest in mathematics. The topic is all about the learning process for awakening learners? feelings of intentness over mathematics. The strategies for arousing students? interest in mathematics include creating awareness, using assessment method, parents encouragement at home and use of teaching/motivational techniques like teaching personality, variety of learning materials, giving feedback and rewards and establishing mathematics club in the school. The researcher found out that; lack of instructional materials, motivation, good teacher/students relationship and caring for individual differences affect the effective ways of teaching mathematics. In view of these, the researcher recommended that: Mathematics teachers should be encouraged to adopt instructional materials in teaching mathematics topics/concepts. This will make mathematics gain popularity, capture the learners? interest, challenge their intellect and result in better performance. Mathematics teachers should take care of individual differences of students by offering different experiences for different learners varying contents, language, rate of learning, material of instruction and the goals of learning according to individual differences. Mathematics teachers should introduce motivation to encourage students? participation and to achieve social, academic, economic and political recognition. Professional development should provide opportunities for work shops or courses that would refresh our teachers? minds of the importance of building positive relationships with their students.

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