SENIOR SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS CONCEPTION OF ALGEBRA IN KWARA STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

The application of mathematical knowledge is important to the economic development of any nation. Therefore there is the need to have proper understanding of mathematical concepts. Literature is a washed with evidences that students perform poorly in mathematics and some of the reasons adduced for this include students’ lack of understanding and inadequate interpretation of word problems. This study, investigated the conceptions of quadratic graph held by Senior School students in Kwara State. The study adopted a descriptive research of the survey type and the population for the study was all Senior School students offering mathematics in Kwara State. A sample of 1,200 SSII students were randomly selected and data for the study were gathered using the Algebra Conceptions Test developed by the researchers. Findings from the study revealed that the students held various degrees of correct conceptions, alternative conceptions and misconceptions. It was also revealed that there was a significant difference in the conceptions of quadratic graph held by male and female students in favor of the male students. The study thereby concluded that very few (25.7%) of the students held correct conceptions and that students; gender influences their conception of algebra. It was therefore recommended that mathematics teachers should incorporate innovative teaching strategies that would facilitate students’ conception of algebra.