Abstract

ENHANCING SENIOR SECONDARY STUDENTS’ COGNITIVE PERFORMANCE IN THE MATHEMATICS CONCEPT THROUGH PROBLEM SOLVING APPROACH

Badru, Ademola K.

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The study investigated the influence of Problem-Solving Approach on senior secondary school students’ cognitive performance in mathematics concept with three statements of hypotheses formulated and tested. A non-randomised Pre-test, Post-test and control groups quasi experimental (2x2) designed was adopted. A total of 205 (Male = 105 and Female = 100) students two in the public schools participated. A purposive sampling technique was employed to select two schools (one experimental and one control groups). Finally, an arm of intact class was selected. Two instruments (MCPT [r = 0.78] and TIP) were used for the study. The ANCOVA and MCA statistical tools were used. The results show that there is a significant main effect of treatment on the Mathematics Cognitive Performance (F (1,204) = 65.303; P < 0.05) and it also reveals shows that the experimental group (adjusted mean score of 36.358) is significantly better than the control group (adjusted mean score of 27.063) with respect to Mathematics Cognitive Performance. The treatment accounts for 23.23 percent (0.482)2 x100% of the variation in the observed Mathematics Cognitive Performance. The results reveal that there is no significant main effect of gender on the Mathematics Cognitive Performance (F (1,204) = 0.471; P > 0.05). It is therefore recommended that educational stakeholders should endeavour to organise workshops to acquaint teachers of mathematics with how to use the Problem-Solving Approach in order to enhancing the quality of teaching mathematics in the classroom. Word count: 235 Key words: Problem Solving Approach, students’ cognitive performance and gender

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