Identification of Strategies for Studying Mathematics Textbooks among Senior Secondary School Students in Ife-East Local Government Area of Osun State

Abstract

The study aimed at finding out the protocols of studying mathematics textbooks; behavior towards studying mathematics textbooks and strategies employed by students in studying mathematics textbooks. The study employed descriptive survey design. A total of thirty-six (36) randomly sampled students and fourteen (14) teachers were used for the study. Two validated research instruments: eighteen (18) item questionnaire titled “Teachers’ Questionnaire (TQ)â€; and a twenty-two (22) item questionnaire titled “Students’ Questionnaire (SQ)†were used to collect the data. The data was analyzed using tables and percentages. Results revealed that 14 teachers (100%) subscribed to “teaching students how to study mathematics textbooks bring about lively interactions among students and effective independent study by students; thereby leading to better achievement in mathematics evaluationâ€. Few students do not know how to study mathematics textbook strategically because they neither take notes nor have the skill needed to study, since 21 (65.6%) of the student respondents do take note while studying; whereas 11 (34.4%) do not. Students do take mathematics study assignments as unique from other types of study, since 27 (84.4%) of the student respondents considered it unique; whereas 5 (15.6%) do not. Few students have not been able to imbibe studying behavior and strategy needed for mathematics textbooks, since 20 (62.5%) identified scanning as reading strategy but 12 (37.5) recognized it not. Based on the findings, it was recommended that study materials (textbooks, e-books, electronic boards, desktops in modern laboratories) on mathematics should be provided by school authorities and government; in-service training of teachers while more people should be encouraged to take-up teaching career in secondary school mathematics. Lastly, the time allocated to studying mathematics should be reviewed (increased).