PERCEPTION OF SECONDARY SCHOOL'S STUDENTS ON THE INFLUENCE OF MATHEMATICS LABORATORY ON EFFECTIVE TEACHING AND LEARNING IN BOSSO, NIGER STATE.

Abstract

Over the years, traditional method of teaching has been used to teach mathematics, this method is known to be boring, hectic, and stressful. The performance of students is seen to be decreasing over the years. These challenges are alarming and call for different method of teaching mathematics. This study investigates the perception of secondary school students on the influence of mathematics laboratory on effective teaching and learning in Bosso, Niger State. The research design is a survey research design. With a population of 17391 students, sample size of 391 students selected from four secondary schools that were conveniently sampled based on their willingness to take part in the research work. Questionnaire was used for data collection. Two research questions and one hypothesis were stated and tested at 0.05 level of significance, data collected were analyzed using percentages and t-test formula using SPSS method was used to answer research hypothesis. The hypothesis of no significant difference between male and female student's perception on the influence of mathematics laboratory was accepted as p-value was not significant. The findings from the study revealed that most secondary school students have a positive attitude towards the perception of mathematics laboratory but lack mathematics laboratory and other useful equipment. The availability of mathematics laboratories in secondary schools will improve Effective teaching and learning of mathematics. It also revealed that. Recommendations were suggested among which included the provision of instructional materials in the laboratories so as to enable usability by mathematics teachers and ensure effectiveness of mathematics laboratory.