1.1 Introduction
Mathematics is one of the core subjects that students are expected to have credit to further their studies in institutions of higher learning (Adejumo, Oluwole & Muraina, 2015). However, Mathematics is one of the subjects that is taken very seriously in the school system, irrespective of country or level of education. It has been described as a model of thinking which encourages learners to observe, reflect and reason logically about a problem and in communicating ideas, making it the central intellectual discipline and a vital tool in science, commerce and technology (Uwadiae, 2014).
As a prelude to other parts of this study, this chapter will discuss the background upon which this study was initiated, the statement of problems that led to this study, the Aim and Objectives of the study. Others are Significance of the study, Scope of work, Research hypothesis and questions, Limitations of the Study and Definition of technical terms.
1.2 Background of Study
Learning mathematics has been recognized by many as important. It does not only develop students’ ability to think in quantitative terms but can also enhance skills such as analytical and problem solving skills. However, to enable us to tell our students how important mathematics is we have to understand students’ beliefs in learning mathematics so as to find ways to improve students’ performance in mathematics.
Purvis (2000) looked at the relationship between students’ attitude towards mathematics and their performance. By grouping students (middle school) according to response towards mathematics (negative, neutral or positive) and calculating the academic average for each group, a positive relationship is found between self-perceived academic performance and academic average. A positive relationship is also found between student’s self perceived academic performance and their liking for mathematics.
Leedy, Lalonde and Runk (2003) found persistence in the belief that mathematics is a male domain. Even in a sample of students chosen for their interest and aptitude in mathematics, the girls have less confidence in their abilities and view their mothers as having lower expectations of their success in mathematics. Also, parental differences were noted, with the mothers frequently focusing on the use of mathematics for computational task, while the fathers more frequently discuss. Skaalvik and Skaalvik (2004) explored gender differences in self-perceived abilities and motivation in mathematics and verbal arts. In all samples male students had significantly higher math self-concept than female
As everyone agrees, learning mathematics is beneficial. Accordingly, one is able to develop abilities to think in quantitative terms and enhance students’ skills in analysis and problem solving. Yet, nobody really bothers what makes people believe that mathematics is one of the difficult and uninteresting subjects. Therefore, in Abak Local Government Area where the research was carried out, the activities that was conducted is to examine the teacher use of online resources on academic achievement of secondary school mathematics students.
1.3 Statement of Problems
The use of online learning resources in the performance of various activities in secondary school libraries is not easily adopted as an indispensable tool for teaching and learning. This is because in most secondary schools in Nigeria, there are no adequate skills, accommodation for classroom and study activities. In most cases many of the schools have no libraries. Those with libraries have little or no online learning resources and facilities, technical manpower, irregular power supply, maintenance culture and regular funds for their sustenance.
Another major challenge of this method of teaching is poor response from the student. The method involves an interaction between the teacher and the students, most times students are not always responsive considering the nature and complexity of mathematics.
1.4 Aim and Objectives of Study
The aim of the study is to examine the teacher use of online resources on academic achievement of secondary school mathematics students in Abak Local Government Area. In achieving this aim, the following specific objectives were laid out as follows:
- To examine the relationship between students’ beliefs in learning mathematics and demographic factors.
- To determine the relationship between the age of students and online learning of mathematics.
- To examine the linkage between the genders of students and mathematics online resources usage.
- To investigate the factors inhibiting teacher use of online resources in teaching mathematics among secondary school students in Abak Local Government Area
1.5 Research Questions
The study came up with research questions so as to be able to ascertain the above stated objectives. The specific research questions for the study are stated below as follows:
- Are there factors inhibiting teacher use of online resources in teaching mathematics among secondary school students in Abak Local Government Area?
- Is there any relationship between students’ beliefs in learning mathematics and demographic factors?
- What is the relationship between the age of students and online learning of mathematics?
- What is the linkage between the genders of students and mathematics online resources usage?
1.6 Research Hypothesis
In order to pursue the objective of this study, the following generalized statements have been designed to guide and aids in obtaining the result for the experiment to be conducted. For this work, the null hypothesis will be represented with H0 while the alternative hypothesis will be represented with hypothesis H1.
Hypothesis One
- H0: There is no significant relationship between the age of students and online learning of mathematics
- H1: There is a significant relationship between the age of students and online learning of mathematics
Hypothesis Two
- H0: There are no significant factors inhibiting teacher use of online resources in teaching mathematics among secondary school students in Abak Local Government Area
- H1: There are significant factors inhibiting teacher use of online resources in teaching mathematics among secondary school students in Abak Local Government Area
1.7 Significance of Study
The study will assist both the federal and state ministry of education, secondary school management board and school authorities to be involved in the review of curriculum and provision of adequate libraries and online learning facilities.
This study when published will be of great and immense benefits to the following educational establishments such as Federal and State ministries of education, secondary school management boards, school authorities, teachers, librarians, students, policy makers and public library institutions.
This study will be of immense benefit to other researchers who intend to know more on this study and can also be used by non-researchers to build more on their research work. This study contributes to knowledge and could serve as a guide for other study.
1.8 Scope of Study
The scope of the research is focused on the teacher use of online resources on academic achievement of secondary school mathematics students in Abak Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State.
1.9 Limitations of the Study
During the course of this study, many things militated against its completion, some of which are:
- Time Constraint: The time frame given to accomplish this project was very short due to school academic calendar and it was carried out under pressure which made the researcher not to implement some necessary features.
- Research material: availability of research material is a major setback to the scope of the study.
- Frequent power failure: This made the researcher append more money on fuel to ensure sustainable power.
- Financial Constraint: Insufficient fund tends to impede the efficiency of the researcher in sourcing for the relevant materials, literature or information and in the process of data collection (internet, questionnaire and interview).
1.10 Definition of Terms
Mathematics: is the study of the measurement, properties, and relationships of quantities and sets, using numbers and symbols.
Teaching method: comprises the principles and methods used by teachers to enable student learning.
Collaborative: involving two or more people working together for a special purpose
Learning environment: can refer to an educational approach, cultural context, or physical setting in which teaching and learning occur. The term is commonly used as a more definitive alternative to "classroom"
1.11 Organization of the Study
Chapter one of the study, provides background of the study, stating the problem of the study and the research questions and hypotheses to be tested in the study. It also highlights the significance of the study and scope of the study.
Chapter two reviews related literature on teacher use of online resources on academic achievement of secondary school mathematics students in Abak Local Government Area.
Chapter three discussed the research methods to be used in designing the study which will include research design, population, sample size and sampling technique, data collection and data analysis methods.
Chapter four presents the data gathered in frequency and percentage tables. The data will also be analyzed and research hypotheses will be tested with chi-square statistical test.
Chapter five summarizes the outcome of the study, draw conclusions based on the findings of the study and make necessary recommendations.
