Submit your papersSubmit Now
For Enquiries: [email protected]
IIARD LogoIIARD

Teachers’ Problem-Solving Skills as Predictor of Senior Secondary Students’ Task Persistence in Mathematics in Cross River State

Afufu, John Egrinya Ph.D, Ejaro, Peter Emmanuel, Ph.D

Abstract

This study examined teachers' problem-solving skills as predictor of senior secondary students' task persistence in mathematics in Cross River State. Two research questions and two null hypotheses were created to guide the study. This study was conducted using a correlational survey design. All 13,922 senior secondary three (SS 3) math teachers and students in Cross River State's 269 public secondary schools made up the study's population. 377 respondents 16 male math teachers, 16 female math teachers, and 345 students made up the study's sample size. The sample for this study was selected using a multi-stage selection technique. Data was gathered using the Students' Mathematics Task Persistence Rating Scale and the Rating Scale for Mathematics Teachers Problem Solving Skills (RSMTPSS). RSMTPSS and SMTPRS had reliability values of 0.81 and 0.91, respectively. Research problems were addressed using Pearson Product Moment Correlation, and all hypotheses were examined using regression ANOVA (F- ratio) at a significance level of 0.05. The findings showed a significant and favorable relationship between students' task persistence in learning mathematics and teachers' problem-solving abilities. The results also demonstrate that students' task endurance in learning some-infused mathematical concepts was significantly predicted by teachers' problem-solving abilities. With a coefficient of determination of 0.19, or 19% predictive capacities, male math teachers' problem- solving abilities predicted students' task persistence in studying mathematics more than their female counterparts. It was suggested that math teachers participate in ongoing professional development courses aimed at improving their ability to solve problems, think strategically, and effectively teach enriched subjects.

Keywords

MathematicsPredictorProblem-solving skillsTask persistenceTeachers. IJEE IJEE www.ijee.io

References

Ball, D. L., Thames, M. H., & Phelps, G. (2020). Content knowledge for teaching: What makes it special? Journal of Teacher Education, 71(4), 389–407. Boaler, J. (2022). Mathematical mindsets: Unleashing students’ potential through creative mathematics, inspiring messages and innovative teaching (2nd ed.). Jossey-Bass. Breda, T., & Napp, C. (2019). Girls’ comparative advantage in reading can largely explain the gender gap in math-related fields. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 116(31), 15435–15440. https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.1905779116 Chapman, O. (2020). Teachers’ knowledge for teaching mathematics problem solving: A review. ZDM Mathematics Education, 52(6), 1053–1065. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11858-020- 01177-8 Credé, M. (2021). What shall we do about grit? A critical review of what we know and what we don’t know. Educational Researcher, 50(9), 606–611. https://doi.org/10.3102/0013189X211017937 Darling-Hammond, L. (2020). Teacher quality and student achievement: A review of state policy evidence. Education Policy Analysis Archives, 28(1), Article 1. https://doi.org/10.14507/epaa.28.2198 DiNapoli, J., & Miller, K. (2023). Teacher scaffolding and student perseverance in secondary mathematics classrooms. Journal of Mathematics Education, 16(2), 45–63. Duckworth, A. L. (2019). Grit: The power of passion and perseverance. Scribner. Estonanto, A. J., Cabauatan, R. R., De Vera, J. L., & Tesoro, J. F. (2019). Mathematics anxiety and academic performance among secondary school students. International Journal of Evaluation and Research in Education, 8(3), 404–412. https://doi.org/10.11591/ijere.v8i3.20203 Federal Republic of Nigeria. (2019). National policy on education (6th ed.). NERDC Press. Grosser, M., & Pretorius, S. G. (2019). Teacher gender differences in instructional strategies for mathematics. South African Journal of Education, 39(4), Article 1684. https://doi.org/10.15700/saje.v39n4a1684 Hill, H. C. (2020). The role of teacher content knowledge in student learning. Educational Researcher, 49(5), 331–339. Jansen, A., Middleton, J. A., & Goldin, G. A. (2022). Student persistence and engagement in mathematics classrooms: The role of instructional support. Journal of Mathematics Education, 15(2), 101–118. Lee, E., & Zhou, Y. (2023). Gender, instructional competence and student persistence in mathematics. Journal of Mathematics Teacher Education, 26(2), 233–252. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10857-022-09545-3 Liljedahl, P., Santos-Trigo, M., Malaspina, U., & Bruder, R. (2021). Problem solving in mathematics education. In S. Lerman (Ed.), Encyclopedia of mathematics education (2nd ed.). Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-15789-0_125 Makaka, C.T., Chitsonga, P., & Dlamini, B. (2023). Mathematics anxiety, engagement and persistence among secondary school learners. African Journal of Research in Mathematics, Science and Technology Education, 27(1), 58–72. Makaka, C.T., Webb, P., & Mthethwa, M. (2023). Mathematics instructional practices and students’ persistence in problem-solving activities. African Journal of Research in Mathematics, Science and Technology Education, 27(1), 45–58. https://doi.org/10.1080/18117295.2023.2176548 IJEE IJEE www.ijee.io Mereku, D. K. (2021). Mathematics teacher knowledge and instructional quality in sub-Saharan Africa. African Educational Research Journal, 9(4), 912–921. Mereku, D. K. (2021). Teacher competence and students’ engagement in secondary school mathematics in sub-Saharan Africa. International Journal of Educational Development, 81, Article 102356. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijedudev.2020.102356 Middleton, J. A., Jansen, A., & Goldin, G. A. (2022). The role of affect and engagement in mathematical problem solving. Journal for Research in Mathematics Education, 53(2), 123–148. https://doi.org/10.5951/jresematheduc-2022-0008 Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development. (2019). PISA 2018 results (Volume I): What students know and can do. OECD Publishing. https://doi.org/10.1787/5f07c754- en Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development. (2021a). 21st-century readers: Developing literacy skills in a digital world. OECD Publishing. https://doi.org/10.1787/a83d84cb-en Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development. (2021b). PISA 2018 results (Volume II): Where all students can succeed. OECD Publishing. https://doi.org/10.1787/b5fd1b8f- en Park, J., & Lee, H. (2022). Teacher questioning strategies and student engagement: Exploring gender differences. Teaching and Teacher Education, 112, Article 103633. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tate.2022.103633 Ryan, R. M., & Deci, E. L. (2020). Self-determination theory: Basic psychological needs in motivation, development, and wellness. Guilford Press. Saito, H., Nakamura, Y., & Fujita, T. (2019). Teacher gender and student engagement: Evidence from longitudinal classroom studies. Educational Research Review, 27, 100–119. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.edurev.2019.100275 Santos-Trigo, M. (2024). Problem solving and mathematical thinking: New perspectives in classroom practice. ZDM Mathematics Education, 56(1), 45–60. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11858-023-01521-7 Schoenfeld, A. H. (2019). Goals and methods of mathematics education research. Journal for Research in Mathematics Education, 50(4), 353–360. Skinner, E. A., & Pitzer, J. R. (2020). Developmental dynamics of engagement and persistence in learning. Educational Psychologist, 55(4), 245–266. https://doi.org/10.1080/00461520.2020.1740030 Smith, M. S., Bill, V., & Hughes, E. (2022). Implementing cognitively demanding tasks in mathematics classrooms. Mathematics Teacher: Learning and Teaching PK–12, 115(7), 498–505. https://doi.org/10.5951/MTLT.2022.0034 Stein, M. K., Engle, R. A., Smith, M. S., & Hughes, E. K. (2020). Orchestrating productive mathematical discussions to support student persistence and engagement. Mathematics Teacher Education and Development, 22(1), 5–24. Stein, M. K., Henningsen, M., & Silver, E. A. (2022). Cognitive demand, scaffolding, and student engagement in mathematics instruction. Journal for Research in Mathematics Education, 53(4), 289–315. Stein, M. K., Smith, M. S., Henningsen, M., & Silver, E. A. (2020). Implementing standards-based mathematics instruction: A casebook for professional development (2nd ed.). Teachers College Press. IJEE IJEE www.ijee.io Tatto, M. T., Rodriguez, M. C., Reckase, M., & Bankov, K. (2020). Teacher education and development study in mathematics (TEDS-M): Policy, practice, and readiness to teach mathematics. International Journal of Educational Development, 74, Article 102157. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijedudev.2020.102157 United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization. (2020). Education for sustainable development: A roadmap. UNESCO Publishing. Verma, R., & Sharma, N. (2021). Teacher confidence, problem-solving strategies, and student resilience in secondary mathematics classrooms. International Journal of Educational Research, 107, 101–116. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijer.2021.101799 Wen, J.Y., & Dubé, A. K. (2022). Instructional practices and mathematics anxiety: A meta-analytic review. Educational Psychology Review, 34(3), 1435–1462. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10648-021-09628-5 Wen, J.Y., & Dubé, A. K. (2022). Teacher-centered instruction and mathematics anxiety among secondary school students. International Journal of Science and Mathematics Education, 20(6), 1121–1138. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10763-021-10245-6 West African Examinations Council. (2020). Chief examiners’ report on the West African Senior School Certificate Examination. WAEC. West African Examinations Council. (2021). Chief examiners’ report on the West African Senior School Certificate Examination. WAEC. West African Examinations Council. (2022). Chief examiners’ report on the West African Senior School Certificate Examination. WAEC. West African Examinations Council. (2023). Chief examiners’ report on the West African Senior School Certificate Examination. WAEC. Wu, S. S., Barth, M., Amin, H., Malcarne, V., & Menon, V. (2020). Math anxiety in second and third graders and its relation to mathematics achievement. Frontiers in Psychology, 11, Article 570. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2020.00570 Zhang, J., Zhao, N., & Kong, Q. P. (2019). The relationship between mathematics anxiety and mathematics performance: A meta-analytic investigation. Frontiers in Psychology, 10, Article 1613. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2019.01613 .