Abstract:
This study investigated how the use of problem solving techniques could improve pre-service
teachers’ performance in word problems of simultaneous equations as well as interest in the
subject. The second-year pre-service teachers at the Wesley College of Education, Kumasi,
were involved in the study. The study employed the survey design and data were collected
using pre-test, post-test and questionnaire/interview. The data collected were analysed using
descriptive statistics. The results indicated that the performance of the pre-service teachers’
on word problems of simultaneous equations had tremendously improved after going through
the problem-solving skills. It was observed that the pre-service teachers after going through
the research project activities grew in confidence in solving word problems involving
simultaneous equations. It was therefore recommended among others that the mathematics
curriculum for pre-service training should be reviewed to ensure the development of and use
of problem solving techniques in the teaching and learning of mathematics.
Description:
A MASTERS’ THESIS SUBMITTED TO THE DEPARTMENT OF MATHEMATICS
EDUCATION OF THE FACULTY OF SCIENCE EDUCATION, SUBMITTED TO THE
SCHOOL OF GRADUATE STUDIES, UNIVERSITY OF EDUCATION, WINNEBA IN
PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR AWARD OF THE MASTER
OF EDUCATION DEGREE IN MATHEMATICS