Effect of Practical Approach on Basic 7 Mathematics Students’ Interest and Performance in Fraction in Uyo Akwa Ibom State of Nigeria

Abstract

This research was an experimental study carried out to determine the effect of practical approach on mathematics students’ performance in fraction in Uyo Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State. Two (2) research questions were raised to guide the study. The Pretest-posttest non-randomise control design was adopted for the study. A sample of 173 Basic 7 students was randomly selected for the study. Two instruments, Mathematics Performance Test on Fraction (MAPF) and Student Interest Questionnaire (SIQ) were used for the study. MATF and SIQ reliabilities were found to be 0.76 and 0.83 using Kuder-Richardson Formulae 21 and Cronbach Alpha respectively. The data were analysed using mean and the independent t-test. The result showed that students taught using practical approach performed significantly better than those taught using conventional method. Students in the practical approach group developed interest that was significantly better than their counterparts in the conventional group. It was concluded that practical approach significantly enhances students’ performance and interest in fraction.

Keywords: Practical Approach, Mathematics Students, Interest, Performance, Fraction