An investigation of study skills that promote students’ performance in mathematics at ordinary level from selected schools in urban west and Dar es salaam regions
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Date
2015
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Publisher
University of Dar es Salaam
Abstract
The purpose of the study was to investigate the study skills used by students that promote students’ achievement and performance in Mathematics subject in secondary schools in Urban West (Zanzibar) and Dar-es-salaam regions. The study used both qualitative and quantitative approaches and it employed descriptive survey to collect data from two hundred and twenty (220) respondents of whom two hundred and ten (210) were students and ten (10) teachers. Purposive and simple random sampling were used to obtain the respondents. Multiple methods were used for data collection, these were face to face interview, open ended questionnaire and documentary review. Data were analyzed quantitatively using frequency tables and percentages supported by Microsoft Excel software and qualitatively using explanation building. The findings of the study have shown that students perceive Mathematics learning differently. Students’ choices of the study skills were determined by their beliefs and attitude, motivation, anxiety, and learning resources. Their performance was influenced by their choices of the study skills. The study revealed that the students from high performing schools were using a good number of study skills more appropriately compared to the students from low performing schools. Based on the study findings, it is recommended that teachers should motivate their students to learn Mathematics willingly by exposing them to apply mathematics in real life situation. On the other hand students should be ready to learn Mathematics independently, and adopt best learning strategies, so as to develop better study skills for the better achievement and performance.
Description
Available in print form, East Africana Collection, Dr. Wilbert Chagula Library, Class mark (THS EAF QA14.T34Y87)
Keywords
Mathematics, Academic achievement, High school students, Secondary schools, Dar es Salaam region, Tanzania
Citation
Yussuf, M. N. (2015). An investigation of study skills that promote students’ performance in mathematics at ordinary level from selected schools in urban west and Dar es salaam regions, Master dissertation, University of Dar es Salaam.