ACCRA COLLEGE OF EDUCATION
HELPING BASIC EIGHT PUPILS OF NGANOMAN COMMUNITY KKMA BASIC SCHOOL
TO OVERCOME DIFFICULTIES IN SOLVING ONE VARIABLE LINEAR EQUATION
USING VIDEO AIDS
BY
YAABOH SAMUEL
10858470
A Project work submitted to the Mathematics and I.C.T Department, Accra College
of Education, in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the Award of a Degree in
Basic Education
APRIL , 2023
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
This chapter gives a preamble of the study, it includes background to the study,
statement of the problem, purpose of the study, research questions, significance of the study,
delimitation , limitation and organization of the study.
BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY
According to P.L Ferrari (2003), Mathematics is viewed as an abstract representational system used in
the study of numbers, shapes, change, and the relationship between the concepts.
Linear equations are widely used in mathematics and various fields such as science, engineering,
economics, and finance to model relationships between variables. They are fundamental building blocks
of algebra and form the basis for more advanced concepts such as linear systems, matrices, and linear
programming.
One-variable linear equations are a foundational topic in mathematics education. However, many
students struggle to comprehend the concepts and effectively solve problems related to these equation.
Traditional instructional methods often rely on abstract representations and textbook examples, which
may hinder students' engagement and hinder their ability to visualize and connect mathematical
concepts.
Video aids have emerged as a promising instructional tool to address these challenges. Videos can
provide visual representations, real-life applications, and step-by-step explanations, making abstract
concepts more tangible and relatable for students. By integrating video aids into instruction, educators
have the opportunity to enhance students' understanding and problem-solving skills in one-variable
linear equations.
Several studies have explored the use of video aids in mathematics education, demonstrating positive
effects on students' learning outcomes and engagement. For example, a study by Moreno and Mayer
(2002) showed that students who received instruction with video aids outperformed those who received
traditional instruction in terms of understanding and retention of mathematical concepts. Similarly, a
study by Jansen and Schmid (2018) revealed that video-based instruction improved students' procedural
knowledge and problem-solving abilities in algebra.
The one variable linear equation which the reacher is focusing on is , in the form of " ax + b = 0", where
"a" and "b", are constants (numbers), and "x" is a variable.The constant "a" is called the coefficient of
the variable "x", while "b" is called the constant term. The value of "x" that satisfies the equation is
called the solution or root of the equation.
Nganoman Community KKMA Basic School is where the researcher did his internship and it is found in
the Greater Accra region of Ghana and geographically situated in the kpone Bawaleshie District. The
major occupation of the populace is farming and trading. The researcher in his teaching practice at
Nganoman Community KKMA Basic School noticed that basic eight (8) pupils have difficulties in solving
problems involving one variable linear equation. This came in reality when exercises involving one
variable linear equation was given to the pupils. After marking, the researcher discovered that out of ten
(10)marks , 71.43% of the pupils scored from zero to four (0-4). 18.37 % of them scored from five to
seven(5 -7) and 10.20% of them scored from eight to ten (8-10) .
After researcher’s intervention with the pupils, he realized that the problem is as a result of not
integrating video aids as a channel of teaching and learning . The researcher observed that 75% of
Nganoman KKMA basic eight (8) pupils are visual and kinaesthetic learners. And because of the learning
approach the teacher used, the learners lose interest in the topic .
Due to the causes of the pupil’s inability in solving one variable linear equation identified above, the
researcher has designed this piece of work to help both teachers and learners at Junior High School level
to teach and learn one variable linear equation using video aids.
However, despite the potential benefits, there is a need for further research specifically focusing on the
effectiveness of video aids in teaching and learning one-variable linear equations. This study aims to fill
this gap by investigating the impact of video aids on students', understanding and problem-solving skills
within this specific mathematical concept.
STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM
During the researcher’s teaching practice at Nganoman KKMA Basic School in Kpone Bawaleshie district,
he made to teach mathematics basic eight (8).
During his teaching the researcher observe that the pupils find it difficult in solving one variable linear
equation question, so the researcher take it has a responsibility to help them overcome their problem.
One variable linear equation is one of the indispensable topics when it comes to the study of
mathematics.
The main aim of this research is to investigate effective lesson engagement strategies to enhance the
Basic eight pupils of Nganoman KKMA Basic School to understand the concepts of one variable linear
equation using video aids. It will identify the most significant factors that contribute to pupils' inability to
logically understand the concepts of one variable linear equation.This is the more reason why the
researcher painstakingly took his time to find solution to the problem by “using video aids " to improve
the performance of one variable linear equation of basic eight (8 ) students of Nganoman KKMA basic
School.
PURPOSE OF THE STUDY
This part of the study is to find out the reason why the basic 8 pupils of Nganoman KKMA basic School
could not solve one variable linear equation and also to come out with an intervention by using video
aids to arrest the problem.
Research Questions
A critical look at the purpose of this study indicates that the following research questions are
appropriate for this research.
1. Is the method used by the teacher an effective way of teaching one variable linear equation to basic
eight (8) pupils?
2. To what extent will the use of video aids help improve the understanding of one variable linear
equation ?
Significance of the Study
This research will help in the teaching of the concept of one variable linear equation by using video aids
as a teaching and learning process. It will also serve as reference material for teachers to use it to
address the problem of one variable linear equation by video aids in Nganoman KKMA Basic School. This
research will also guide curriculum developers and planners to improve upon the type of activities and
materials suggested in the pupils’ textbooks and teacher handbooks when preparing textbooks for basic
schools, especially in the teaching of one variable linear equation . The research work will help
mathematics teachers to sustain pupils’ interest in mathematics.
It will also help teachers in the school to develop new ideas to improve upon their lesson
delivery in mathematics to meeting the needs of the learners they are teaching. They will also be
abreast with the appropriate usage of teaching and learning activities. It will also create the
needed awareness in parents and guardians the best ways to assist their wards to improve their
academic performances.
Delimitation of the Study
This study is restricted to Basic eight learners of Nganoman KKMA Basic School of Kpone
Bawaleshie district. Even though the targeted population could have included all Junior High
School classes, only learners from Basic eight of Nganoman Basic served as the study population.
Limitation of the Study
The research encountered the problem of truancy among the pupils of which some of them
were absent at school during the period of intervention , the researcher anticipated that this
will affect the result of the study The Short period available for conducting this research is also
likely to adversely affect the reliability of the research result. Geographically, since only learners
of Nganoman Basic eight were considered, it is likely that this generalization may not be so valid
to a large extent, most particularly within several schools in Kpone Bawaleshie district with
Basic eight pupils.
Organization of the Study
The research project is made up of five chapters. Chapter one focuses on the background of the
study, statement of the problem, the purpose of the study, research questions, significance of the
study, delimitation, limitation and organization of the study.
Chapter two deals with the review of related literature. Chapter three also deals with the research
methodology and consists of research design, population, sample and sampling procedures,
instrument, pre-testing of the instrument, data collection, and data analysis.
Chapter four set out to analyze the questionnaire and outcome of the interview and discussion
held by the researcher. Chapter five which is the last chapter is made up of the summary,
conclusions, recommendations, and suggestions for further research.
Reference:
Ferrari, P. L. (2003). Mathematics: An abstract representational system used in the study of
numbers, shapes, change, and the relationship between concepts. Encyclopedia of
Cognitive Science.
Moreno, R., & Mayer, R. E. (2002). Verbal redundancy in multimedia learning:
When reading helps listening. Journal of Educational Psychology, 94(1), 156-163.
Jansen, A., & Schmid, J. (2018). The Effects of Video-based Algebra Instruction on Middle
School Students' Problem Solving Performance and Algebraic Reasoning. Journal of
Educational Computing Research, 56(6), 813-834.