Effectiveness of Problem-Solving Method in Teaching Mathematics at Lower Secondary Level

Abstract

This is an experimental research related to the mathematics achievement of grade VIII students. The study was done in Makawanpur district to compare the mathematics achievement between genders and to explore the effectiveness of problem s-solving method in teaching mathematics at lower secondary level. Two government schools were selected by using convenience sampling and pre-test, post-test non-equivalent control group design was used to conduct this study. There were 42 students in Siddhartha Higher Secondary School and 40 students in Bhutan Devi Higher Secondary School. On the basic of pre-achievement test sore two groups were made homogeneous as nearly as possible. 26 students (14 boys and 12 girls ) of Siddhartha Higher Secondary Schools were selected as experimental group and 24 students of Bhutan Devi Higher Secondary School were selected as control group on the fair coin toss. Two groups were taught same topics percentage, unitary method, simple interest and profit and loss but experimental group was taught by using problem-solving method and control group was taught using traditional method of teaching and 14 lesson plans were developed during the experiment. After completing the experiment both groups were administered a mathematics achievement test. Achievement tests and observational notes were the main tools of study. For analysis of data collected from achievement test mean, standard deviation, variance and t-test (at 0.05 level of significant) were used. A descriptive analysis was presented for the changes in non cognitive skills. It was concluded that there was no significant mathematics learning and achievement difference in terms of gender. And problem-solving method of teaching gives better result then the traditional method of teaching. Non-cognitive skills of the students also be developed by the problem solving method teaching.