Effectiveness of Zoltan P. Dienes' Learning Theories Strategies in Mathematics Teaching at Primary Level

Abstract

Due to the reform in mathematics education, in the developed countries, mathematics curriculum is changed and finally a great change in teaching methods occurred. In Nepal, mathematics teaching is still characterized as traditional approach of teaching focusing more on the memorization of facts conveyed to the students by the teacher. In this context the researcher is interested for innovating new approach of teaching learning activities in the classroom. Applying Dienes' learning theories strategies is a best one method in modern world for teaching mathematics. So, the researcher aimed to determine the effectiveness of Zoltan, P. Dienes' learning theories strategies teaching mathematics at primary level.

In order to fulfill the objectives of this study, the researcher selected 24 students of class V from Dhawalagiri Secondary Boarding School Hemja, Kaski for the experiment. The selected students for experiment were divided into two group experimental and control groups. The researcher taught same topic from Area Perimeter and Volume i.e. Mensuration portion for on both the groups. Experimental group was taught using Dienes' learning theories strategies and Control group was taught using traditional method. The duration of experiment was two weeks. After completing the experiment an achievement test (consisting 20 objective and 7 subjective questions) was administered on both the groups and mean scores were calculated. The difference in mean achievement scores was tested using t-test for determining statistical significance between them.

The t-test used at the 0.05 level of significance showed that Dienes learning theories strategies was better than the traditional method in teaching mathematics at primary level.