EFFECTS OF MATHEMATICS LABORATORY METHOD ON JUNIOR SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS` ACHIEVEMENT IN ANGLES IN ONDO STATE

Abstract

Poor performance of Junior secondary school students in
mathematics is related to teaching and learning approaches that are
not based on practical, activity-based, experimental and IT-
supported methods, Mathematics laboratory method which is
experimental, practical and activity-based, is therefore sought for, in
reversing the trend of students' poor performance in mathematics,
especially in Angles. The study investigated the Effects of
Mathematics Laboratory Method on Students' Achievement in
Teaching and Learning angles in Junior Secondary Schools in Ondo
State. The study adopted a quasi-experimental design involving
pretest posttest control group. The population consisted of all JSS III
Public School Students in Akure South Local Government Area of
Ondo State. The sample consisted of 100 students in two intact
classes, the schools were purposefully selected based on the facts that
they are coeducational schools for proper gender representation.
Each from the two schools randomly assigned to one treatment and to
the other, control group. Instruments used for data collection was
Mathematics Achievement Test. (MAT) developed by the researcher. The data were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics.
Findings revealed that the use of mathematics laboratory methods
enhanced students' performance in mathematics. (T-cal =9.1; T
critical=1.944). The results also showed that no significant
difference exists in the achievement of male and female students
taught with mathematics laboratory methods. (T- cal =0.153; T
critical=1.929) at 0.05 significant level. The study recommended that
Mathematics teachers should be encouraged to use mathematics
laboratory methods in teaching mathematics, and that the
Government should establish mathematics laboratories in all
schools like other science subjects' laboratories, also that
Seminars/workshops should be organized for mathematics teachers
in secondary school on the use of mathematics laboratories