IMAGES OF MATHEMATICS STAKEHOLDERS IN TEACHING AND LEARNING MATHEMATICS AT SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN SOKOTO STATE. A RESEARCH PROJECT TOPIC ON SCIENCE EDUCATION
ABSTRACT
The study was conducted for images of mathematics stakeholders in teaching and learning mathematics at secondary schools. For the purpose of the study, the research employs various data collection techniques that includes questionnaire conducted on nineteen (19) mathematics teachers, nineteen (19) parents and two hundred and seventeen (217) students of secondary schools. Teachers, students and parents in the sample schools were administered with questionnaire. Result of the study indicated that mathematics teachers should try to motivate and build up the self confidence of pupils/students and convince them that everybody is bale to be good at mathematics. One of the respondents suggested that we should admit that mathematics is difficult but then prepares students to take it on as a challenge. In addition, several of the respondents stressed the importance of relating mathematics to daily life experiences or activities and teaching it as a practical tool. They also suggested that as an effective strategy, students should be allowed to explore and sole problems themselves. A mathematics teacher should not be somebody who just stands there and lectures, but he should teach from the very beginning, how it can be applied to the real world and to see that it excites the students and teacher as well.
CHAPTER ONE
1.1 Background to the Study
INTRODCTION
The word “Mathematics comes from the Greek word (Matherna) meaning science, knowledge or learning and it also derived from other word (mathematiko’s) meaning found of learning” (Simonson & Gouvea 2007).
Agwagah (2008) noted that mathematics is often defined as the study of topics such as quantity, structure, space and change. These topics provide the major subdivision of mathematics into: Arithmetic, Algebra, Geometry and Analysis. These major disciplines within mathematics arose out of the need to do calculations in commerce among others. The study of mathematics will form in the students the habit of clarity brevity, accuracy, precision and certainty in expression.
