EFFECT OF GUIDED DISCOVERY METHOD ON MATHEMATICS PERFORMANCE OF LOW AND HIGH AVERTED SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS IN FCT ABUJA, NIGERIA

CHAPTER ONE

THE PROBLEM

1.1      Background to the Study

In this era of technological quest and high attainment in modernization, no nation can afford to allow her teaming population to shy away from mathematically related sciences, Obiefuna (2005). This is because technological development is hinged on strong mathematics foundation. It is therefore no longer conventional fact that mathematics and mathematical sciences are indispensable. The issue at hand is which method can change the attitude of the learners and attract their interest towards mathematics and mathematical sciences.

Mathematical sciences in this context are those school subjects like Mathematics, Chemistry and Physics. At the tertiary institutions of learning, all science courses that usually involve mathematical calculations are included under the topic mathematical sciences. According to Okunade (2000) one may ask the question why mathematics should be taught in schools. Mathematics as a discipline has many advantages for human beings some of which are:-

1. Utilitarian: – In almost all human activities, both in academic pursuits or professional training and practice, mathematics is an effective tool for realizing results. Onogu (2002), said it is engineering language through which insights are presented to analyze and synthesize engineering problems. This made the subject to be taught from lowest to the highest levels of knowledge that the child‟s ability can allow.

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• Social activities: – Mathematics is used in the area of social activities like birth/ death control, census, marketing, and a host of others.

• Cultural activities: – Human beings right from inception express their cultural heritage by means of figures and signs using mathematics. It could be said that its study originated from cultural activities, like Egyptian‟s irrigation plots, pyramids and a host of others.

• Aesthetic: – Ogbodu (2004), Observed that, Men derive pleasure and joy in beautiful mathematical designs found in their domain, the beautification also takes its origin from mathematics that are used in art, architecture and textiles.

As a result of its uses,Fatius (2000), said that, the world is becoming more mathematical,while Makarfi (2001), commented that the role mathematics played in social, economic, technological and industrial development of any nation cannot be over emphasized. In line with this, Olumase (2004), stressed on the need for strong mathematical foundation among the youth. Mathematics as explained by Audu (2005), is the queen of all sciences, because it is the tool for all disciplines since no scientific advancement (practical applications and approach) could be achieved without it. Kajuru (2005), emphasize on the impacts mathematics make on all aspects oflife. The usefulness is therefore extended to the field of physical sciences, technology, social and business sciences. Besides these numerous advantages, Nigerian Students seem to approach the subject with coldness and no sense of zeal Njku (2004).

EFFECT OF GUIDED DISCOVERY METHOD ON MATHEMATICS PERFORMANCE OF LOW AND HIGH AVERTED SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS IN FCT ABUJA, NIGERIA