Abstract
Mathematics is the foundation for the economic and technological development of any nation. It has been asserted that Mathematics is expected to help in accelerating the socio-econo-techno progress of any society. The purpose of this paper is to find out the correlation between the utilization of instructional materials and Grade 6 learners' performance in Mathematics in Buffalo City. Despite the importance of Mathematics as the gateway to the world of science and technology, Mathematics is also regarded as the subject in which many learners underperform. The study adopted a correlational research design and a quantitative approach. The target population of this study was Grade 6 learners in the Buffalo City district. Stratified sampling was used to select 1225 Grade 6 learners. The findings showed that there is a significant relationship between the availability and utilization of instructional materials and Grade 6 learners' performance in Mathematics in Buffalo City (r = 0.999; p>0.05). There is no significant difference between gender and Grade 6 learners' Mathematics performance at Buffalo City (t = -.217, df = 1218, p>0.05). The mean difference between male learners ( =12.820, SD = 3.969) and female learners ( =12.872, SD=4.098) was negligible. It was observed that where materials are available, the management, selection, and effective use are lacking. It is recommended that teachers should not only be encouraged on the use of instructional materials but also be capacitated and guided on the effective use, management, improvisation, and selection of relevant and appropriate materials.
Highlights
Mathematics is a science subject that is taught at any level of education
It is recommended that teachers should be encouraged on the use of instructional materials and be capacitated and guided on the effective use, management, improvisation, and selection of relevant and appropriate materials
The study explored the relationship between instructional materials and Grade 6 Mathematics performance
Summary
Mathematics is a science subject that is taught at any level of education. The inadequacy of this subject at the tertiary level is a result of the weak foundation at the primary school level. Despite the emphasis placed on instructional materials in the teaching and learning of Mathematics, many learners are still underperforming This may be as a result of inadequate instructional materials, or the underutilization thereof by teachers. Written curriculum materials such as textbooks, worksheets, charts, graphs, calculators, markers, and postcards are available for use with the guidance and assistance of the teachers In addition to these instructional materials, computer software and geoboards make an immense contribution to better performance of Mathematics across different levels of education [5]. [4] concedes that the ability of teachers to select proper instructional materials and the appropriate use thereof when teaching Mathematics has a lot of influence in activating the thinking process and learners’ performance in Mathematics. It is against this background that the use of instructional materials as correlates for Grade 6 learners’ Mathematics performance is explored
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