Teachers Attitude and Effective Teaching of Primary School Mathematics
Abstract
This study was carried out on teacher’s attitude and effective teaching of primary school mathematics in Abak Local Government Area population of the study consisted of 2734 teachers in primary schools. 150 teacher were randomly selected for sampling technique three research questions were raised. The instrument used for data collection was questionnaire. The data collected were analyzed using simple percentage.
Survey design was for the study. The finding revealed that teachers attitude toward classroom management styles influence effective teaching of mathematics in primary schools. The study recommended that teacher. Should be motivated by government so that they may maintained positive attitude towards effective teaching of mathematics. The study conclude that attitude therefore is fundamental to the dynamics of behavious and determines how far the student learns.
Teachers Attitude and Effective Teaching of Primary School Mathematics
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background of the Study
A teacher is the element in the education process. The teacher, by his training and exposure, determines progress in all the facts of education in schools. Enem (2001) likens an African teacher of today to a farmer who with antiquated hoes or other crude instruments available to him cultivates his farm. The above statements show that a teacher is germane and highly indispensable in the operation of the curriculum.
The importance of teacher’s and the roles they play in the educative process are central to basic education particularly in the third world countries. In the more advanced countries, there may be close substitutes for teachers roles in the form of teaching machines with programmed instruction, but in the third word countries such as Nigeria, teachers undoubtedly remain the managers of knowledge. Have the national policy on education (FRN 1981) clearly asserts that no education system can rise above the quality of its teaching.
However, attitude as a concept is concerned with an individual way of thinking, acting and behaving. It has very serials implications for the learners, the teacher, the immediate social group with which the individual learner relates and the entire school system. Attitudes are formed as a result of some kind of learning experiences. They may also be learned simply by following the example or opinion of parent, teacher or friend. This is mimicry or limitation, which also has a part to play in the teaching and learning salutation.
In this respect, the learner draws from his teachers’ disposition to form his own attitude which may likely affect his learning outcome. In his observational theory, Banalura (2001) demonstrated that behaviours are acquired by watering another (the model, teacher, parents, mentor) that perform the behaviour. The model displays it and the learner observes and tries to imitate it, teachers are invariably, role models whose behaviours are easily copied by students.
What teachers like or dislike appreciate and how they feel about their teaching could have a significant effect on their students. Teachers attitudes are influenced by their culture and belief system in effective teaching processes, an opportunity is created whereby the teacher can talk to the student directly or in small groups.
Teachers Attitude and Effective Teaching of Primary School Mathematics
Teaching according to Adeola (2011) citing Oyedeyi (1998) is the process of imparting in the students knowledge, skills and attitude in order to bring about a desirable change in the learners. Desirable transformation can only occur in the learner when a teacher has a good mastery of the subject have a map to follow in term of well-prepared lesson plan/note, grab the pupils attention through effective class control mechanism or strategy.
Akanolege (2010) identify ten researches supporting characteristics of effective teaching these according to him attention on pupils achievement, quality teaching responsive to pupils learning processes, effective and efficient learning opportunities, pedagogical practices that create cohesive learning communities, effectives links betroan school and cultural context or the school, multiple tasks to support learning cycles, aligned curriculum goal effectively, pedagogy scaffolds feedback on students task engagement among others to primary schools.
1.2 Statement of the Problems
It can be observed that the state primary education board and ministry of education are in constant surveivance to watch the activities of teachers in the secondary and primary schools. Many a times, teachers attitude such as lateness to schools, poor attendance to school, disobedience to the head teacher, fighting among teachers, sexual disapproved attitude are observed.
Teachers are often queried, panelized or punished by the board or ministry of education with the intention of stepping down the negative effect of their negative behaviours on the entire system including effective teaching of primary school mathematics. It is on this ground that the researcher decides to investigate on teachers attitude and effective teaching of primary school mathematics in Abak Local Government Area.
Teachers Attitude and Effective Teaching of Primary School Mathematics
1.3 Purpose of the study
- To find out the influence of teachers attitude towards attendance to classes and effective teaching of mathematics.
- To assess the influence of teachers attitude toward classroom management and effective teaching of mathematics.
1.4 Significance of the Study
This study will provide a reliable information to the stake holders in educational programmes about some elements of teachers poor attitude towards effective teaching of mathematics. The information from the findings will also enhance the evaluation as assessment of teacher’s performances by the headteachers and supervisors.
- The ministry of education state primary schools and state secondary education boards world use the finding of the study of effects a positive change in teacher attitude to effective teaching of mathematics.
- Finally this study, will serve as an index for future research and add value to the present literature.
1.5 Research Questions
- To what extent does teachers attitude towards the use of instructional materials influence effective teaching of mathematics in primary schools.
- How does teachers attitude towards attendance to classes influence effective teaching of mathematics in primary schools.
- How does teachers attitude toward classroom management influence effective teaching of mathematics in primary schools.
Teachers Attitude and Effective Teaching of Primary School Mathematics
1.6 Delimitation of the Study
This study focus only on teachers attitude and effective teaching of primary schools mathematics in Abak Local Government Area.
1.7 Limitation of the Study
This work is limited by insufficient funds to extend the research to a wider scope.
1.8 Definition of Terms
- Attitude is defined as a concept that deals with an individual ways of thinking, acting and behaving.
- Absenteeism: Define as a situation where by the staff stay away from duty without permission.
- Truancy: Define as a number of unexcused absence by a staff of work as determine locally.
- Influence: This is the power to affect some body’s characters belief or action thought example your advice and administration.
Teachers Attitude and Effective Teaching of Primary School Mathematics
CHAPTER FIVE
SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS
5.1 Summary
The purpose of this study was designed to examine teacher’s attitude toward effective teaching of mathematics in primary schools in Abak Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State. To this end the work provided background to the study through the detailed formulated to guide the study. It was believed that this study could be useful to teachers, government, parents, counselors and even the pupils.
Relevant terms were defined and the purpose of the study was stated. a detailed literature review was obtained from published and unpublished books, journals, nets etc its reviews was aimed at developing appreciation on the previous study done in this area or related areas.
Apart from the secondary materials consulted a structured test was used as an instrument for data collection from a chosen population and specific sample. The study undoubtedly conducted an analysis of the responses from the instrument and a good majority of the respondent showed that people were of the opinions that teacher attitude really influence effective teaching of mathematics in primary schools with focus on Abak Local Government Area.
5.2 Conclusion
In many cases, teachers are largely responsible for loss of interest by pupils in some courses or subjects especially mathematics, however teachers attitude is an absolute necessity for effective teaching the teacher must possess a basic qualification in the subject professional training engagement in professional activities and personal enthusiasm for mathematics.
Attitude as a mental state of readiness organized through experiences, exerting a direction or dynamics influence upon the individual’s response to all objects and situations with which it is related. Attitude therefore is fundamental to the dynamics of behaviours and determines how far a student learns.
Teachers Attitude and Effective Teaching of Primary School Mathematics
5.3 Recommendations
Based on the above discussion in this research the following recommendations were offered.
- That government should provide opportunities for government teachers to attend seminars, service courses and workshops to avail them opportunity of keeping abreast with effective and current method of teaching mathematics.
- Teacher should be motivated by government so that they may maintained positive attitudes toward effective teaching of mathematics.
- Government and ministry of education should trained and retained teachers on how developed better attitude toward mathematics.
