Abstract

ACHIEVING SELF-RELIANCE AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT THROUGH HANDS-ON AND MINDS-ON INSTRUCTIONAL MATHEMATICAL LABORATORY STRATEGY

Saddiq Khalid and Prof. K.O Usman

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Abstract Mathematics education is the key to national development. It plays an important role in the economic development of a country. Both Government and nongovernmental organizations, institutions know the significant role of mathematics education at the graduate education levels for lifelong learning and entrepreneurial skills development in Nigeria. There arose the need to inculcate in the students an entrepreneurial skills that will give them a means of survival after graduation. Mathematics has always occupy a quintessential position in problem solving and providing solution to life threatening issues, hence mathematics is used to sort avenue to develop individuals economy boom for their sustenance. This study was carried out to determine the extent to which hands-on and minds-on instructional mathematics laboratory approach was used as tool for achieving self-reliance and sustainable development in Nigerian college graduates. The population for this study consist of ninety two (92) intact class of NCE I mathematics students in colleges of education in Oyo State into experimental and control groups. The instruments used were mathematics laboratory practical test (MLPT), mathematics retention laboratory practical test (MRLPT) and Mathematics laboratory practical kits. The test ?retest method was employed for the reliability of the test instruments. The Pearson Product Moment Correlation Coefficient (r) was 0.86. Data collected were analyzed using ttest. The findings showed that the performance and mastery level of students in the experimental group has significant difference to that of their counterparts in the control group using hands-on and mindson instructional strategy in kits production. The findings also revealed that commercial production of mathematics laboratory kits by graduates could improve their entrepreneurship skills, contribute to the Gross Domestic Products of the country and also serve as a means of reviving the economy in recession. . It was suggested among other things that schools and government should adopt instructional strategy like hands-on and minds-on, provide machine and tools for commercial production of the mathematics laboratory kits in schools. Keyword: Mathematics Laboratory Kits, entrepreneurship, Sustainable Development

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