Improving Problem Solving Skills of Third Year Mathematics Students Taking The Course Numerical Analysis II (Math3152); in Case of Adigrat University

  Haftom Gebremariam Mhretu,  Meresa Kebede Weldesemaet

This study wanted to investigate the poor performance of solving problem skills and to establish the strategies that can be adopted to improve performance in solving problems in Mathematics by third year Mathematics students in case of Adigrat University, Ethiopia. The data were analyzed using quantitative content analysis for target population was 37 respondents which comprised of 3 male and 34 female third year mathematics students. The data for the research was collected by use of questionnaires, interviews and observation. Hence, factors contributing to poor performance in solving problem skills include inadequate learning materials, lack of motivation and poor attitudes by both teachers and students. The findings of this study will give mathematics curriculum developers new insights into emerging issues on performance and influence the Ministry of Education on policy formulation. However, students are also expected to benefit from the findings; because improved mathematics performance will give them opportunities to pursue science related courses in higher institutions of learning. Three major challenges limited the use of problem solving and investigations: curriculum, student-related, and teacher-related issues. The strategies suggested by the students on how to improve achievement in mathematics were grouped into five areas, which comprised of staffing, teaching and learning materials, curriculum, motivation and attitudes, and fees and levies.

Keywords- Problem Solving Skills, Numerical Analysis II, Investigations, Mathematics, Curriculum

Unique Identification Number - IJEDR1802056
Page Number(s) - 314-320
Pubished in - Volume 6 | Issue 2 | April 2018
DOI (Digital Object Identifier) -   
Publisher - IJEDR (ISSN - 2321-9939)

  Haftom Gebremariam Mhretu,  Meresa Kebede Weldesemaet,   "Improving Problem Solving Skills of Third Year Mathematics Students Taking The Course Numerical Analysis II (Math3152); in Case of Adigrat University", International Journal of Engineering Development and Research (IJEDR), ISSN:2321-9939, Volume.6, Issue 2, pp.314-320, April 2018, Available at :http://www.ijedr.org/papers/IJEDR1802056.pdf