Effectiveness of Manipulative Materials in Teachimg Mathematics

Abstract

This is a study on "Effectiveness of manipulative materials in mathematics teaching." The primary purpose of the study was to compare the achievement of grade VIII student in maths taught by using and without using manipulative materials and to explore the feelings of students and their activities in class while by using manipulative materials. For achieving this purpose, the researcher used an experimental research design in which researcher adapted the pre- test post-test non- equivalent group design.Two private schools were selected by randomization in Kathmandu district. After twenty days of regular treatment to the experimental group, achievement of students were recorded in terms of post-test. The internal consistency of each test was ensured by calculating Cornbrash's Alpha model with SPSS 21.0 setting 0.05 level of significance. From the result, the study has succinctly shown that there was a significant difference in students’ achievement of experimental and control group in post-test. Achievement tests and teaching episodes were the main tools for the study and mean, standard deviation and t-test (at 0.05 level of significance) were used as statistical tools and analyze qualitative data by students’ motivation and participation in the activities. After analyzed the obtained data, it was concluded that the usage of manipulative materials is more effective than the conventional problem solving strategy in mathematics.