Academic literature on the topic 'Post-primary mathematic students'

Numerous research findings have applauded the integration of technology in the classroom especially in mathematic to develops positive attitudes. The advancements in technology may provide a better opportunity to impact mathematical literacy and skills on young learners. Perhaps, attitudes towards mathematics are declining in recent years. The study aimed to enhance the students attitude toward learning mathematics by using games app embedded in computer software used as an instrument to teach the subject. A total of ninety-one primary school students drawn from different primary schools in the Kogi state participated in the study. The study adopted a quasi-experimental pre-test, post-test study design. The result revealed that the computer game influenced the respondents attitude towards mathematics at MD = 13.65 (95% CI, 8.91 to 16.17), t (88) = 6.328, p = .001. Thus, the study concludes that computer game is an indispensable tool in impacting positive attitudes towards mathematics, especially among the primary school students. The recommendations are discussed.

This study aims to find out the difference between the model of problem-based learning and the mathematical-logical intelligence towards mathematics learning achievement. This study is a true experimental with specific design of post-test only control group design. The population of this study are all fourth grade students of primary schools in Bajawa sub district. Meanwhile, the sample in this study is determined through random sampling. The result of analysis, it is gained that the learning achievement which used problem based learning model is higher than the mathematics learning achievement of the students with the conventional learning technique. The calculation from two ways ANAVA results in Fobs 1.793 with sig = 0.184, there is no significant effect of learning interaction model and mathematic-logical intelligence. Since there is no interaction, it also means that there is no significant effect of problem based learning collaborated with mathematic-logical intelligence to the students’ learning achievement.

STEAM education that is under ICT has become an upsurge in the international education of research and practice. Due to this, there is a wide application of information technology that has a profound impact to mathematics education. Based on the multiple representation of mathematics, this research aims to test the effectiveness of Hawgent dynamic mathematic software in teaching mathematics to primary students. The sample of this study are all the primary students in Bandung and this research uses the test and non-test method. The test method is a quantitative test to know the students’ mathematical understanding ability when using Hawgent and traditional teaching method. The data collected from the test method would be the post-test scores and the scores are both from the experimental and controlled class. The data will then be process by using SPSS 22 and Microsoft Excel. The data is then analyzed by using the t-test statistic. The result of this study concludes that the students’ understanding ability whose learning are supported by Hawgent are better than whose learning are using the traditional teaching method.

<span>The element of creativity in learning mathematics in elementary school is lack of attention. Whereas, in solving the mathematic problem, creative thinking and ideas are needed in formulating and solving mathematical models of mathematic problems. Creative thoughts and ideas will emerge and develop if the process of learning mathematics in the classroom uses appropriate learning approach. The purpose of this study is to determine the influence of students' mathematical creative thinking ability on Powtoon-Assisted Group to Group Exchange and Talking Chips learning models to students' creative thinking ability. This research is a correlative quantitative research. The population was all the sixth grade students of Pedurungan Tengah 1 State Primary School in Semarang. The samples were class VI C (experiment 1), VI D (experiment 2), and VI B (control). The data were obtained from a post-test with open-ended answers. The analysis result of Anava test indicated that there was a difference on the mean of students' creative thinking ability in those three classes. Based on the Scheffe Test calculation, students' mathematical creative thinking ability with GGE model was better than the class with conventional learning model. Another result of Scheffe Test calculation indicated that students' mathematical creative thinking ability with Talking Chips model was better than the class with conventional learning. In addition, the Simple Linear Regression equation in both classes with GGE and Talking Chips models resulted in positive value equation. It could be concluded that Powtoon-Assisted Group to Group Exchange and Talking Chips learning models have a positive influence on students' creative thinking ability.</span>

The study investigated the reported regressive performances of students in spatial reasoning concepts with a view to promote early spatial reasoning of lower primary school pupils across ability levels and sex. Non-equivalent experimental research design was employed. A hundred and five (105) pupils in four intact classes were exposed to six weeks intervention and subsequently post-tested. Data collected were analyzed using Analysis of Covariance. The study found significant effect of treatment on the performance of study participants in the ICT-integrated Think-Pair-Share treatment group. No significant interactive effect of ability was found though, the pupils of low-ability group benefitted more from the intervention (M = 12.32, 11.07; SD = 2.86, 2.98). There was no significant different of intervention between boys and girls across strategies and abilities. The study concluded that, while ICT-integrated learning strategies could improve output in spatial concepts of pupils at the primary school level, performances on the basis of sex-groups and ability groups have no significant interaction effect on the learners of spatial reasoning. Keywords: performance, spatial reasoning, treatment, strategies, ability group, think-pair-share, concrete-representation-abstract, learners’-self-controlled.INTRODUCTIONEarly graft of mathematic ability has been ascertained to predict later mathematical achievement and related endeavors in life [6]. Hence, the promotion of early mathematic competency is of critical importance. Established link between spatial ability and mathematics in early childhood by neuropsychological and brain imaging studies and behavioral evidences potent that math performance can be improved with spatial reasoning. Nigeria’s experience in local, national and international examinations show dwindling performances of examinees traceable to substantiated inefficient score in spatial reasoning items consistently featured [5, 1] in such standardized examinations. This was interpreted to mean that, children understanding of space pattern is necessary and demanded by the curriculum. The advent of information and communication technology (ICT) eulogized as potentially powerful and enabling tool for education change and reform is hereby engaged in learning delivery for comparative analysis of performance in learning spatial concepts among primary school pupils. METHODOLOGYNon-equivalent pretest, posttest and control group research design was adopted. The population consisted of 357,533 pupils’ enrolled in 1, 378 primary schools in Osun State (Daily Independent, 2013) characterized with male and female learners of varied academic abilities. Study sample was eked out using purposive and multi-stage sampling techniques. Primary III class was purposively selected based on the learners' age (6 – 8 years) limit in early childhood. Four schools with 105 intact class pupils were multi-stage sampled in the three major towns of the state considering available facilities for the study. Research instruments included Spatial Reasoning for Children (SpatReC), an interactive, multimedia package designed using C-Sharp (C#) programming language and follows the taxonomy based on Benjamin Blooms’ principles as revised by Anderson and Krathwohl in [8]; and Spatial Reasoning Test (SRT) used for pretest and posttest. Instruments, in a previous study [1] were adjudged validity and reliable. Learners in their intact classes were randomly assigned to study conditions namely; the three experimental groups and the one control group; three levels of cognitive ability groups - high, medium and low; and two sex groups - male and female. The intervention took forty minutes of Mathematics periods for three days in a week and six weeks in each of the schools excluding tests. ANALYSIS:Tests for significant interaction effect of treatment on groups were conducted. Result shows the test of equality of means to be significantly equal (t = 2.003, p - 0.05) in favor of equal variance assumed. The study’s subjects were thus adjudged to be reliably homogeneous (Table 1).Table 1: Test for Difference in the Participating group’s Post-test Scorest-test for Equality of MeanstdfSig.(2-tailed)Mean DifferenceStd. Error Difference95% Confidence Interval of the DifferenceLowerUpperEqual variances assumed2.003103.0481.253.626.0122.494Furthermore, the post-test scores of the research participants were subjected to a test of difference via analysis of covariance using their experimental groups as the differentiating variable and the pre-test scores as the covariate to remove the possible effect of previous learning and other confounds. The result showed significant difference in the post-test scores (F = 2.934, p - .05). It also showed from the table that, the R-squared value was 0.080 and the Adjusted R squared value stood at 0.053. This can be interpreted to mean that the maximum variance in the post test score is quite small. So other possible factors which might explain the difference in the post test scores and interact with the effectiveness of the learning strategies were sought after (Table 2).Table 2:Post-Test of Difference of Treatments Tests of Between-Subjects Effects - Dependent Variable: post test scoreSourceType III Sumof SquaresDfMean SquareFSig.Corrected Model96.677a332.2262.934.037Intercept34388.204134388.2043131.034.000GRP96.677332.2262.934.037R Squared = .080 (Adjusted R Squared = .053)The source of difference was located between the CRTL group and the CRA group (Table 3). It can be concluded that there exists significant difference among the learning strategies in improving performances.Table 3: Multiple Comparisons Post hoc TestDependent Variable: post-test score Tukey HSD(I) Treatment(J) TreatmentMean Difference(I-J)Std. ErrorSig.95% Confidence IntervalLower BoundUpper BoundCTRLTPS.413.924.970-2.002.83LSC.514.960.950-1.993.02CRA2.514*.960.049.015.02* The mean difference is significant at the 0.05 level.Would there be any interactive effect of intervention between various academic ability pupils by virtue of learning strategies? To answer this question, the post-test scores of the research participants were subjected to a test of difference via analysis of covariance. Result shown in Table 4 revealed that there is no significant interaction effect of experimental groupings and ability levels on the post-test scores (F = 1.440, p > .05). In this stance therefore, the research question is answerable in the negative.Table 4: Test of Difference of Treatment and Ability in Post-test Tests of Between-Subjects Effects Dependent Variable: post test scoreSourceType III Sum of SquaresDfMean SquareFSig.Corrected Model113.502a716.2151.440.198Intercept28102.188128102.1882495.206.000GRP * ability113.502716.2151.440.198a. R Squared = .094 (Adjusted R Squared = .029)Lastly, could any difference in performance result from variation in sexes? Despite the slight differences in group sizes, no significant difference in the performance on the basis of sex-groups (value = 0.186, > 0.05) was found. It as well showed that, there was no significant interaction found between groups and sex in describing performance of pupils in spatial reasoning (F = 0.030, p > 0.05) (Table5).Table 5: Test of Difference on Post-test in Treatment / Sex Groups DescriptivePost test scoreNMeanStd. DeviationStd. Error95% Confidence Interval for MeanMin.Max.dffsigLower BoundUpper BoundMale4118.153.190.49817.1419.1511281.030.862Female6418.273.560.44517.3819.151226103Total10518.223.405.33217.5618.881128104DISCUSSION - CONCLUSION:The application of ICT unto learning strategies was with a view to improve performance in spatial concepts in pupils of low and high ability at the primary school level. Notable results included significant effect of treatment on performance at the removal of possible effect of previous learning and other confounds. This discovery agrees with [3] whose study established that particular intervention in the experimental group might increase learner’s motivation and in turn lead to higher achievement levels for learners in the experimental group than for those in the control group. [2, 4] also found particular learning strategies - conceptual learning strategy and online tool substantially increasing math performance growth in separate studies. Ability levels’ effect on academic achievement as investigated indicated no significance in the post-test scores even after controlling for the previous learning through the pre-test. This result was at variance to [7] study on game-based learning (GBL) which found that, many students with low confidence toward learning mathematics can be restored and improve their confidence toward mathematics. Conclusively, performances on the basis of sex-groups and ability groups have no significant interaction found between ICT-integrated strategy learners of spatial reasoning. REFERENCES Adeleke, A. G. (2015) Comparative Effectiveness of ICT-Integrated Learners’-Self-Controlled, Concrete-Representational-and Think-Pair-Share Strategies in Enhancing Spatial reasoning Skills of Primary School Pupils in Osun State. A Doctoral Dissertation Submitted to Postgraduate College, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria. Adeleke, M. A. (2007) Strategic Improvement of Mathematical Problem-solving Performance of Secondary School Students using Procedural and Conceptual Learning Strategies. Educational Research and Review Vol. 2 (9), pp.259-263. Alrabai, F. (2014) The Effects of Teachers’ In-Class Motivational Intervention on Learners’ EFL Achievement. Applied Linguistics. 2014 Oxford University Press.Haelermans, C. - Ghysels, J. (2014) The Effect of an Individualized Online Practice Tool on Math Performance - Evidence from a Randomized Field Experiment.Jegede, P. O., Adelodun, O. A. - Okoli, B. C. (1998) Evaluation of Test Characteristics of UME Mathematics Items in the Context of Bloom’s Taxonomic Categories. Journal of Creativity in Teaching for the Acquisition and Dissemination of Effective Learning (CITADEL) Vol.3 (6) pp.233-241.Krajewski, K - Schneider, W. (2009) Early development of quantity to number-word linkage as a precursor of mathematical school achievement and mathematical difficulties: Findings from a four-year longitudinal study. Learning and Instruction, 19(6), 513-526. Ku, O., Chen, S.-Y., Wu, D.-H., Lao, A.-C.-C., - Chan, T.-W. (2014). The Effects of Game-Based Learning on Mathematical Confidence and Performance: High Ability vs. Low Ability. Educational Technology - Society, 17 (3), 65–78.Wilson, L. O. (2013) Understanding the New Version of Bloom’s Taxonomy - A succinct discussion of the revisions of Bloom’s classic cognitive taxonomy by Anderson and Krathwohl and how to use them effectively. Available at http://www4.uwsp.edu/education/ lwilson/curric/newtaxonomy.htm

This research is motivated by the importance of mathematical reasoning abilities for primary school students. This research aims at looking at the effect of the Concrete-Pictorial-Abstract (CPA) approach on the enhancement of mathematical reasoning abilities of primary school students. This research method is a quasi-experiment with pre-test and post-test control group design in Mathematics subjects with the theme of data presentation. The research sample consisted of 121 fifth grade students in two primary schools in Bekasi Regency. The test and non-test instruments were involved in this research. The results revealed that there wasthe influence between the CPA approach and students' mathematical reasoning abilities, and the achievement and enhancement of mathematical reasoning abilities of students who got learning with the CPA approach werebetter than students who got conventional learning based on all student review and a category of Prior Mathematical Ability (PMA) high, moderate and low. In conclusion, the mathematical reasoning ability of primary school students can be improved by applying the CPA approach.

Mathematics is the universal compartment through which both the study and the discovery of the surrounding environment take place. At the same time, mathematics is the academic discipline through which the formation of logical and practical thinking is pursued, so for the students of pedagogical specialties this discipline is an abstract science about which students know only what they have learned in gymnasium. Therefore, the motivation and professional orientation for studying mathematics are necessary, allowing in this context the application of mathematical knowledge and skills acquired in practical activities. This article thoroughly analyses the concept of motivation, but also addresses the motivation issue of the students in post-secondary technical vocational education – future primary school teachers in the Republic of Moldova. At the same time, the problematic aspects of the professional training process of future primary school teachers are determined.

The modern teaching/learning environment is, like never before, rich with digital teaching/learning technologies and tools that are becoming part of children’s daily lives. Background: In Lithuania, virtual teaching/learning platforms (environments for mathematics, knowledge of nature, history, and language practice) in primary education became more widely used approximately three years ago after the implementation and application of the virtual teaching/learning platform EDUKA. The purpose of this study was to establish the effect of the virtual teaching/learning platform EDUKA on the learning outcomes of primary-grade students in the subject of mathematics. Methods: In this study, a pre-test/middle-test/post-test experimental strategy was used to avoid any disruption of educational activities due to the random selection of children in each group. Mathematical diagnostic progress tests (MDPTs) are an objective way to measure skills and abilities. The MDPTs were divided into two sections: the tasks were allocated according to performance levels and the content, as well as fields of activity and cognitive skills. The assessment of all areas of activity was based on the primary school children’s performance (i.e., unsatisfactory, satisfactory, basic, and advanced). Results: An analysis of the results of the MDPTs showed that, across the seven possible tasks, both male and female seven-year-old children achieved satisfactory results (results were observed between groups) (post-test: control gathering (CG) 5.10; test gathering (EG) 5.04; p = 0.560), basic results (post-test: CG 6.28; EG 6.42; p = 0.630), and advanced results (post-test: CG 1.90; EG 2.27; p = 0.025). The differences between the pre-test and post-test advanced (p = 0.038) and the pre-test and post-test basic (p = 0.018) levels were found to increase. Conclusions: It was found that intensively integrating the virtual learning platform EDUKA into formal education—specifically in the subject of mathematics—had a significant impact on primary school children’s mathematical performance. In addition, after the experiment, a statistically significant difference was found (p < 0.05) in primary school children with higher levels. The intervention in the experimental group (i.e., integration of the virtual learning platform into the formal mathematics learning process) had a positive impact on access to mathematics. Students’ math learning achievements were positive in progressive mathematics.

In Ireland, mathematics has been assigned a special status within the postprimary school curriculum with the introduction of a Bonus Points initiative (BPI) in 2012. Students are now awarded an extra 25 points in their upper post-primary school state examination results if they achieve a passing grade at Higher Level (HL) mathematics. The culmination of points that student achieve in six different subjects acts as a gatekeeper to tertiary level education. Mathematics is the only subject in which there are extra points awarded. The initiative was introduced to encourage more students to study the subject at an advanced level. Anecdotally there have been many mixed reviews about the success of the BPI. While the numbers taking HL mathematics have steadily increased, there have been concerns expressed that many students who are not mathematically capable of performing up to the standard required are now opting for the HL paper and that the difficulty of this examination and the marking schemes have been adjusted accordingly. This paper investigates the advantages and disadvantages associated with the BPI from the perspective of mathematics teachers (n=266).

After decades in which the Irish post-primary (grades 7-12) mathematics curriculum changed incrementally, a major innovation project was approved in 2008, and a “reform”-type curriculum was phased in over several years. The project was controversial, and some students developed negative attitudes to the change. This paper examines recent students’ opinions: in particular, the opinions of mathematics undergraduates who had experienced the transition and who took a Mathematics Education module at one Irish university in 2019- 20. They studied old and new curriculum documents and examination papers, and watched videos of reform-type lessons; their reflective comments were posted to a discussion board. Thematic analysis of posts from the 18 (out of 25) students who gave permission for use of their work in research indicates that, by then, these students supported many aspects of the reformed curriculum.

The Professional Diploma in Mathematics for Teaching is a 2-year part-time programme dedicated to out of field teachers of mathematics in second level education in Ireland. The programme was introduced in Ireland after a report highlighted that 48% of second level teachers of mathematics in Ireland were not qualified to teach mathematics (Ní Ríordáin & Hannigan 2011). The programme has been running since 2012 and is currently upskilling its 6th cohort of out-of-field teachers. As part of the programme, teachers are required to undertake mathematics content modules as well as mathematics specific pedagogy modules. One such mathematics specific pedagogy module requires students to undertake five 3-hour workshops which examine mathematics content contained on the second level curriculum and offers suggestions on how to teach it for conceptual understanding. Teachers in Cohort 5 of the programme completed a questionnaire prior to completing the 5 workshops to outline how confident they felt teaching particular aspects of the second level mathematics curriculum. They were also asked to best describe the teaching approaches that they favoured at that point in time. Upon completion of the 5 workshops, this same cohort of teachers completed a similar questionnaire investigating their level of confidence in teaching the curriculum and any changes in their teaching practices that occurred as a result of participation in this module.

In recent years, there is a growing interest in educational approaches that include the integration of STEAM disciplines. However, to contribute to increase students' interest in these subjects from an early age, it is crucial to prepare primary teachers to carry out an integrated STEAM approach in schools. This study is aimed to demonstrate the potential of engaging primary pre-service teachers in a STEAM program within a science and a mathematics course. The results of the study emerged from the analysis of the participants' responses to a pre-post questionnaire, STEAM lesson plans they have developed, and reflective writing assignments they carried out at the end of the STEAM program. Findings show that primary pre-service teachers' attitudes toward a STEAM-integrated approach evolved positively through developing lesson plans. The results revealed benefits and challenges of planning STEAM activities according to the participants and their confidence to implement a STEAM-integrated approach in the context of practice. This work was supported by Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology, I.P., Grant/Award Number UIDP/04748/2020.

The main objective of this work has been to assess the potential cognitive and emotional benefits of several practical experiences integrating STEM areas. A sample of 13 students in the 6th grade of primary school was accessed. Several questionnaires were designed, depending on the contents to be dealt with, and were applied at different times in order to ascertain the evolution of the variables under study. The data from the post-tests applied after the workshops confirm that the practical and integrated sessions carried out with the students improve the level of knowledge, even finding statistically significant differences (Sig.&lt; 0.05) with respect to the initial values. The emotional results show that following an active and integrated methodology has benefited the promotion of positive emotions in the participants.

The fundamental role of symmetry has to be more closely enhanced in the interplay between mathematics and physics to foster the teaching of the Nature of Science. In our presentation, we explore the positive effect of introducing the modern concept of symmetry viewed as “sameness within change”. A teaching-learning sequence (TLS) was conducted to test the challenges of an interdisciplinary approach based on symmetry and invariance in the educational context, namely at the primary school level. In the design of this sequence, solving the game of closing special cardboard boxes provides a fundamental role. The study evaluates how the specific teaching action makes the modern concept of symmetry in principle appropriate for primary school students through manipulative games. We investigate the students’ cognitive paths about symmetry during the sequence by analysing pre- and post-sequence questionnaires. The questionnaire comprises four questions with dichotomous choice, items text, narrative text, and open justification. It is structured mainly in three domains devoted to cognitive, affective, and psychomotor dimensions. The analysis is composed of a mixed method approach. The investigations incorporate qualitative data with Text Analytics and Natural Language Processing (NLP) statistics to identify and extract information from pupils’ written reflections. Our study also explores whether the emotion experienced by students plays a role in the TLS. Results show that educational activities induce the increasing knowledge and skills of students. In particular, most students interpreted the lessons as experiences rich in stimuli and insights on symmetry and mathematics in general. The findings also bring important suggestions and contents of reflection that teachers can consider for exploiting the potential learning path on symmetry and invariance.