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Factors Affecting Learning Mathematics in the Case Assosa University Collage of Natural Science

Received: 17 August 2016     Accepted: 14 January 2017     Published: 21 February 2017
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Abstract

This paper was intended to access factors affecting teaching and learning mathematics in Assosa University faculty of Natural and Computational Science (NCS) students. The research method used for study was descriptive survey and supported by qualitatively. The respondents the study were all NCS students (except Biology and Sport science students) and all mathematics instructors. The main purpose of the study was to determine the factors that affect teaching and learning mathematics. Some instruments like questionnaire, focus group discussion (FGD) and interview were employed for data collection. The questionnaires were filled by 80 students and 16 instructors. Furthermore, the researcher held FGD with all one-to-five network group leaders of each section students and all instructors. For interview, 7 students (representatives of each section) and 5 instructors were interviewed. Thus, the findings indicate that demographic, instructional strategies and methods and individual factors affect teaching and learning mathematics. Among these factors instructional strategies and methods was the first most influential factor in teaching and learning mathematics. The second and the third most influential factors are individual and demographic factors respectively. Most respondents have a problem of language, income, arithmetic ability, background knowledge and confidence to understand mathematical concepts. The other main finding was there are no enough materials and facilities in the university for teaching and learning mathematics. But, availability of enough materials and facilities in the university were a factor for teaching and learning mathematics. Finally, based on the findings of the study, it was recommended that students need to be equipped with necessary background knowledge, arithmetic ability and they should developed confidence in mathematics. So, concerned bodies of the university should give a valve able support concerning each factor to increase students’ performance in teaching and learning mathematics.

Published in International Journal of Education, Culture and Society (Volume 2, Issue 1)
DOI 10.11648/j.ijecs.20170201.12
Page(s) 6-12
Creative Commons

This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.

Copyright

Copyright © The Author(s), 2017. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

Factor, Affecting, Learning and Mathematics

References
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[2] M. S. Faroop, A. H. Chaudhry, M. Shafiy, G. Berhanu (2011) Factors Affecting Students’ Quality of Academic Performance: Volume VII, Issue II, December,, Page 01 ‐ 14
[3] Battle, J., & Lewis, M. (2002). The increasing significance of class: The relative effects of race and socioeconomic status on academic achievement. Journal of Poverty, 6(2), 21-35.
[4] Saxton, J. (2000). Investment in education: Private and public returns. Retrieved from http://www.house.gov/jec/educ.pdf.
[5] Crosnoe, R., Johnson, M. K., & Elder, G. H. (2004). School size and the interpersonal side of education: An examination of race/ethnicity and organizational context. Social Science Quarterly, 85(5), 1259-1274.
[6] Ballatine, J. H. (1993). The sociology of education: A systematic analysis. Englwood Cliffs: Prentice Hall.
[7] Blevins, B. M. (2009). Effects of socioeconomic status on academic performance in Missouri public schools. Retrieved from http://gradworks.umi.com/3372318.pdf
[8] Adams, A. (1996). Even basic needs of young are not met. Retrieved from http://tc.education. pitt.edu/library/SelfEsteem
[9] Parri, J. (2006). Quality in higher education. Vadyba/Management, 2(11), 107-111.
[10] US Department of Education. (2003). Confidence: Helping your child through early adolescence. Retrieved from http://www.ed.gov/parents/academic/help/adolescence/part8.html
[11] Lamb, Stephen and Fullarton, Sue, "Classroom And School Factors Affecting Mathematics Achievement: a Comparative Study of the US and Australia Using TIMSS" (2001).
[12] Hay Mc Ber (2000). Research into teacher effectiveness. Report for the Departmentof Education and Employment, UK.
[13] Anderson, L. W., Ryan, D. W., & Shapiro, B. J. (1989). The IEA classroomenvironment study. Oxford: Pergamon Press.
[14] Larkin, A. I., & Keeves, J. P. (1984). The class size question: A study at different levels of analysis. Hawthorn: Australian Council for Educational Research.
[15] Lee, V. E., & Smith, J. B. (1997). High school size: Which works best and for whom?i. Education Evaluation and Policy Analysis, 19(3), 205 - 228.
[16] Fullarton, S. & Lamb, S. (2000). Factors affecting mathematics achievement in primary and secondary schools: Results from TIMSS. In J. Malone, J. Bana & A. Chapman (Eds.), Mathematics education beyond 2000 (Proceedings of the 23rd annual conference of the Mathematics Education Research Group of Australasia, 2000). Perth, WA.
[17] Oseiwu Ali (2013)Factors Affecting Students’ Academic Performance in Mathematical Sciences Department in Tertiary Institutions in Nigeria Kogi State University, Anyigba, Nigeria
[18] Nwafor, M. O. (2012, November 12th-16th). Components of education for sustainable peace. Lead paper presented at 2012 Biennial Conference organized by Faculty of Education, Cross River State University of Technology, Calabar in Collaboration With School of Education, and Nwafor Orizu College of Education, Nsugbe.
[19] Team of Mathematics Teachers. (2013). Factors affecting students academic performance in mathematics in Nairobi. Retrieved May 5, 2013, fromhtttp://www.google.com/search?q=factors+affecting+students+performance+in+mathematics&ie=utf.8 &oe=utf.8&rls=org.non
[20] Yamane, T. (1967) “Statistics: An Introductory Analysis”, 3rd ed., New York: Harper and Row.
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  • APA Style

    Habtamu Shenkut Belhu. (2017). Factors Affecting Learning Mathematics in the Case Assosa University Collage of Natural Science. International Journal of Education, Culture and Society, 2(1), 6-12. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijecs.20170201.12

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    ACS Style

    Habtamu Shenkut Belhu. Factors Affecting Learning Mathematics in the Case Assosa University Collage of Natural Science. Int. J. Educ. Cult. Soc. 2017, 2(1), 6-12. doi: 10.11648/j.ijecs.20170201.12

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    AMA Style

    Habtamu Shenkut Belhu. Factors Affecting Learning Mathematics in the Case Assosa University Collage of Natural Science. Int J Educ Cult Soc. 2017;2(1):6-12. doi: 10.11648/j.ijecs.20170201.12

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  • @article{10.11648/j.ijecs.20170201.12,
      author = {Habtamu Shenkut Belhu},
      title = {Factors Affecting Learning Mathematics in the Case Assosa University Collage of Natural Science},
      journal = {International Journal of Education, Culture and Society},
      volume = {2},
      number = {1},
      pages = {6-12},
      doi = {10.11648/j.ijecs.20170201.12},
      url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijecs.20170201.12},
      eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ijecs.20170201.12},
      abstract = {This paper was intended to access factors affecting teaching and learning mathematics in Assosa University faculty of Natural and Computational Science (NCS) students. The research method used for study was descriptive survey and supported by qualitatively. The respondents the study were all NCS students (except Biology and Sport science students) and all mathematics instructors. The main purpose of the study was to determine the factors that affect teaching and learning mathematics. Some instruments like questionnaire, focus group discussion (FGD) and interview were employed for data collection. The questionnaires were filled by 80 students and 16 instructors. Furthermore, the researcher held FGD with all one-to-five network group leaders of each section students and all instructors. For interview, 7 students (representatives of each section) and 5 instructors were interviewed. Thus, the findings indicate that demographic, instructional strategies and methods and individual factors affect teaching and learning mathematics. Among these factors instructional strategies and methods was the first most influential factor in teaching and learning mathematics. The second and the third most influential factors are individual and demographic factors respectively. Most respondents have a problem of language, income, arithmetic ability, background knowledge and confidence to understand mathematical concepts. The other main finding was there are no enough materials and facilities in the university for teaching and learning mathematics. But, availability of enough materials and facilities in the university were a factor for teaching and learning mathematics. Finally, based on the findings of the study, it was recommended that students need to be equipped with necessary background knowledge, arithmetic ability and they should developed confidence in mathematics. So, concerned bodies of the university should give a valve able support concerning each factor to increase students’ performance in teaching and learning mathematics.},
     year = {2017}
    }
    

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    AU  - Habtamu Shenkut Belhu
    Y1  - 2017/02/21
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    UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijecs.20170201.12
    AB  - This paper was intended to access factors affecting teaching and learning mathematics in Assosa University faculty of Natural and Computational Science (NCS) students. The research method used for study was descriptive survey and supported by qualitatively. The respondents the study were all NCS students (except Biology and Sport science students) and all mathematics instructors. The main purpose of the study was to determine the factors that affect teaching and learning mathematics. Some instruments like questionnaire, focus group discussion (FGD) and interview were employed for data collection. The questionnaires were filled by 80 students and 16 instructors. Furthermore, the researcher held FGD with all one-to-five network group leaders of each section students and all instructors. For interview, 7 students (representatives of each section) and 5 instructors were interviewed. Thus, the findings indicate that demographic, instructional strategies and methods and individual factors affect teaching and learning mathematics. Among these factors instructional strategies and methods was the first most influential factor in teaching and learning mathematics. The second and the third most influential factors are individual and demographic factors respectively. Most respondents have a problem of language, income, arithmetic ability, background knowledge and confidence to understand mathematical concepts. The other main finding was there are no enough materials and facilities in the university for teaching and learning mathematics. But, availability of enough materials and facilities in the university were a factor for teaching and learning mathematics. Finally, based on the findings of the study, it was recommended that students need to be equipped with necessary background knowledge, arithmetic ability and they should developed confidence in mathematics. So, concerned bodies of the university should give a valve able support concerning each factor to increase students’ performance in teaching and learning mathematics.
    VL  - 2
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Author Information
  • Department of Mathematics, Assosa University, Assosa, Ethiopia

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