MATERIALS FOR BASIC MATHEMATICS

Prof. Cesario C. Galanida

         The main problem of the study is to develop and validate instructional materials for college Basic Mathematics at Philippine Normal University, Agusan Campus. Specifically, it aims to answer the following questions:

1. What are the desired learning competencies of college basic mathematics indicated in the syllabus to be included in the development of instructional material as perceived by the students?
2. What are the lessons or topics that need supplementary activities necessary in attaining the desired learning competencies?
3. How valid and applicable are the developed instructional materials of each lesson/topic as perceived by experts in mathematics professors/instructors?

Procedure

          The research process was categorized into three phases: 1.) Planning Phase, 2.) Writing Phase, and 3.) Validation Phase. The Planning phase included the selection of topics from the desired learning competencies by the student respondents.

           Writing Phase included the preparation of guidelines, format, and the instructional materials to be developed. The experts, mathematics professors/instructors, did validation Phase.

Findings

Result of data analysis showed the following findings.

1. The desired learning competencies that were included in the development of instructional material for college Basic Mathematics as perceived by the students were Rational Numbers, Measurement, and Introduction to Algebra & Trigonometry.
2. The learning activities prepared by the researcher based on the needs assessment of students perceptions are as follows: (a) Ratio and Proportion, (2) Rate, (3) Decimal, Fraction, and Percent, (4) Measurement, (5) Introduction to Algebra, and (6) Introduction to Trigonometry.
3. Analysis of the ratings given by a team of five mathematics professors showed that the 71 out of 72 learning activities were considered valid applicable) in meeting the desired learning objectives for each topic. Activity number 69 (Cosine Law) was rated less valid. Generally, the selected experts in mathematics rated the developed instructional materials for college Basic Mathematics satisfactorily valid and applicable.

          From the findings of the study the following conclusions were drawn:

1. The seventy-one (71) out of seventy-two (72) activities of the developed instructional materials are satisfactorily applicable.
2. Instructional Materials are useful in teaching college basic mathematics.
3. Instructional materials with manipulative activities are helpful in developing basic concepts of mathematics.
4. Concepts in ratio, proportion, rate, measurement, and integers were found to be least understood as perceived by the students.

Recommendations

          In the light of the finding and conclusion of the study, the following recommendations were offered:

1. Conduct a field study to find out if the developed instructional materials will really improve the academic performance of students.
2. In developing instructional material teachers should include outdoor activities for the students (future educators) to be exposed to this kind of teaching strategy. Math teachers should develop instructional materials in a form of worksheets using manipulative materials.
3. School administrators should encourage and supports teachers in developing instructional materials.