Abstract

EFFECTS OF PROBLEM SOLVING INSTRUCTIONAL STRATEGY ON STUDENTS? ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT IN GEOMETRY IN GWALE LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA SECONDARY SCHOOLS, KANO, NIGERIA

Prof. Garba Shu?iabu1 and Salim Bala Sidi2

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This study investigated the effects of problem solving strategy on students? academic achievement in geometry. The study adopted pre-test, post-test quasi experimental design and control group design. The population of the study was twenty one thousand, seven hundred and nine (21709) senior secondary school (SS II) students in Gwale L.G. While the sample for the study consist of two hundred and eleven (201) students which comprise one hundred and five (105) male and ninety six (96) female students. Stratified random sampling technique was used in the study based on gender. The instruments used in the study were Geometric Achievement Test (GAT) and Geometric Attitude Questionnaire (GAQ), where GAT was adapted by the researcher from New General Mathematics Book and WAEC past question paper. GAT was validated by experts: two from Mathematics Unit, KERD and three from Mathematics department BUK ranking from senior lecturer. Pilot study was conducted and used split-half reliability method, and the GAT and GAQ reliability index were computed to found 0.95 and 0.89 respectively using Spearman Rank Order Coefficient. Four research questions and four research hypotheses were formulated to guide the study. The research questions were answered using Mean and Standard Deviation. While the hypotheses were tested at 0.05 level of significance and analyzed using Wilcoxon rank and z-test. The result showed that; there was significant difference in the students? academic achievement when taught geometry using problem solving instructional strategy. The findings also indicated that problem solving strategy affect both male and female students? attitude toward geometry. Finally, the study recommend that mathematics teachers should incorporate problem solving strategy in teaching and learning geometry as it improve students? academic achievement and attitude. Keywords: Mathematics, Geometry, Problem-solving, Academic Achievement

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