Using constructivist approach to address senior high school students’ difficulties in solving linear equations word problems, a case of Potsin T.I. Ahmadiyya S.H.S.

Abstract

This study employed the quasi-experimental design to address Potsin T. I Ahmadiyya Senior High School Students’ Difficulties in solving algebraic word problems in linear equations using constructivist approach. The researcher identified four major difficulties students encounter when solving algebraic world problems namely: students attempting but demonstrating misunderstanding of the problem; students attempting and unable to translate problem into algebraic model or equation(s); students attempting but fail to solve the equation to reach the solution; students attempting to solve the equation but failing to use the right methods or making errors. The study compared the effectiveness of constructivist approach and traditional methods in the teaching of algebraic word problems in linear equations on the performance of students. Two classes were purposively selected for the study. One intact class was used as control group and the other as the experimental group. The sample size consisted of 92 students comprising 43 in the control group and 49 in the experimental group. The experimental group was taught algebraic word problems using constructivist approach while the other control group underwent traditional way of teaching algebraic word problem. Pre-test and post-test were carried out simultaneously on all the groups using teacher-made achievement test. The test format was based on Ghana Education Service syllabus. Using a paired sample t-test, the findings showed that there is a statistically significant main positive effect for the students who used constructivist approach to learn algebraic word problem, [M = 68.2, SD = 14.3), t (48) = 14.6, p = 0.000 < 0.05]. Thus, the students taught with constructivist approach performed comparably better than their counterpart who did not use constructivist approach to learn algebraic word problem. Also, the constructivist method made lesson more interesting, practical and easy to understand. It was recommended that teachers should incorporate the use of constructivist in the teaching of algebraic word problem.