A Comparison Study of Students’ Performance in Pre and Post Result of A Mathematics Competency Test

Najiyah Safwa Khashi’Ie,Rahaini Mohd Said,Nurul Amira Zainal,Nor Hamizah Miswan,A Hasan,N Mohamed Sutan,C.N Hipolito,M.R Kabit,N Abdul Wahab,A.A Khan,Al-K Hj Othman,Md A Mannan

doi:10.1051/matecconf/20178704001

Abstract

The objective of this study was to compare the performance of Engineering Technology (ET) students’ in a Pre and Post Mathematics Competency Test during their first year of study at the Faculty of Engineering Technology (FTK), Universiti Teknikal Malaysia Melaka (UTeM). This article also aims to examine the student’s understanding in the area of Mathematics, particularly in Algebra, Trigonometry and Functions. A total of 176 first year students from the Department of Mechanical Engineering Technology (JTKM) were chosen to answer the Mathematics Competency Test. The pre-test was held in the first week of the semester, while the post-test was held during the second semester. The results showed that the students’ performance in post-test was better compared to that pre-test. However, statistical analysis on students’ performance by each question showed that most of the students did not understand the basic concepts in Algebra, Trigonometry and Functions.

Highlights

These days, it is important to increase the number and competency of students in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) for future career development
The aims of this paper are to compare the performance of Engineering Technology (ET) students while learning Mathematics in their first year of study at FTK, Universiti Teknikal Malaysia Melaka (UTeM) and examine their understanding in the area of Mathematics, in the topics of Algebra, Trigonometry and Functions
This study was conducted to compare the performance of ET students while learning mathematics during the first year of study at FTK, UTeM

Summary

Introduction

These days, it is important to increase the number and competency of students in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) for future career development. The Faculty of Engineering Technology (FTK), Universiti Teknikal Malaysia Melaka (UTeM) is one of the universities in the Malaysian Technical University Network (MTUN) which provide Engineering Technology Programs (ETP) [1] This program is oriented towards applications whereby more practical and hands-on activities are assessed, and introductory mathematics courses, science courses and qualitative introductory to engineering fundamentals are provided. The aims of this paper are to compare the performance of ET students while learning Mathematics in their first year of study at FTK, UTeM and examine their understanding in the area of Mathematics, in the topics of Algebra, Trigonometry and Functions. Trigonometry and Function are few examples of broad parts in mathematics These topics are basics and fundamental, but they are important especially for ET students who will apply in other subjects such as Physics, Chemistry, Thermodynamics and Fluid Mechanics. Algebra Trigonometry and Function topics were chosen as the basis for research evaluation and assessment benchmark since these parts of mathematics are useful and relevant for engineers and technologists

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