Improving of Students' Performance on the Four Basic Mathematical Operations on the Set of Rational Numbers: The Case of Selected First Year Students of Fitche College of Teachers Education, Ethiopia

Abstract

The main objective of this study was to improve students' performance on the four basic mathematical operations on the set of rational numbers. The study was carried out on 15 selected first year students of Fitche College of Teachers Education who had scored below 50% in basic mathematics I course. To identify the real existence of the problems, pretest was given to the students and the result revealed that the students have poor performance in basic mathematical operations. To improve the students' performance in basic mathematical operations, the action set carried out using different active learning methods with sufficient examples and working activities. Data were gathered through systematic observation, pre and post-test. The data gathered through observation was analyzed qualitatively and the performance test was analyzed using paired t-test. The result from the observation and pre-post test revealed that the there was a significant change on the four basic mathematical operations. Even if there were changes, the performances of the students were below average in the performance test. Since the action research by itself is cyclic; if the intervention was repeatedly carried out, the students will improve their problem on basic mathematical operations.