Digital Games for Teaching and Learning of Mathematics in Nigeria Schools

Fractions are among some concepts in mathematics that pupils in Nigeria primary find difficult to learn, and teachers find difficult to teach. These problems require solutions because mathematics knowledge is germane for technological advancement and national development. Pupils need to be actively involved in constructing their knowledge and digital mathematics learning games could be helpful. Thus, this study investigated the effects of digital mathematics games on primary pupils' achievement in fractions concepts. An appropriately validated pupil fractions achievement test (PFAT) was used to collect data for the study. Data collected were analyzed using t-test. It was revealed that pupils exposed to digital mathematics games performed significantly better than those exposed to conventional method. There is significant difference between achievements of male and female pupils exposed to game-based strategy.

Research on reflective-evaluative competence in pupils with intellectual disabilities

The aim is to conduct empirical research on the formation of reflective-evaluative competence in primary pupils with intellectual disabilities and to determine effective methods to develop it. Methods: tests with standardized questionnaires, methods for checking the logic of motivating dialogue, comparative analysis, quantitative and qualitative content-analysis. We established that disorders in the functioning of reflection in primary pupils are observed in changeable or unfamiliar situations: rejection to solve a problem, desire to simplify a task, justification of their inability, avoidance of difficulties. We registered that insufficient development of self-control and self-esteem causes faults in programming and performing activity. We identified difficulties in verbalizing a plan of actions showing the respondents’ inability to compare and substantiate practical and mental operations. Disorders in reflective-evaluative competence are insufficient development of reflection, self-control, self-esteem and self-correction that does not allow primary pupils to organize their mental actions purposefully.

TEACHING UNDERGRADUATES TO USE ELECTRONIC TEXTBOOKS IN PRIMARY EDUCATION

Раскрываются способы подготовки бакалавров к использованию электронной формы учебников в начальном математическом образовании. Целесообразность такой подготовки обусловлена необходимостью повышения информационной компетентности младших школьников, а также значимостью продуктивного использования будущим учителем различных носителей информации, мультимедийных объектов и интерактивных технологий для повышения интереса к обучению и достижения как предметных, так и метапредметных результатов. Материалом исследования послужили результаты тестирования и анкетирования студентов, показавших недостаточное владение компетенциями, необходимыми для успешного применения электронной формы учебников на уроках в начальной школе. Раскрыты основные цели, содержание и этапы организации деятельности бакалавров для овладения умениями определять возможности электронной формы учебников в развитии личности младшего школьника на различных этапах урока, оценивать и выбирать модели ее применения и режимы функционирования. Представлены аналитические и проектировочные задания, проиллюстрированы приемы формирования основных профессиональных компетенций студентов, связанных с использованием электронной формы учебников при проведении уроков математики в начальной школе. The article deals with ways of educating undergraduate students how to use electronic textbooks while teaching mathematics in primary education. This education is a relevant approach to increase primary pupils’ information literacy; besides, it shows how important it is for a teacher to be able to use different storage media and interactive multimedia technologies to increase interest in learning and achieve pedagogical goals. The researches collected data from the results of testing and filling in questionnaires by students, who proved to be incompetent of using electronic textbooks on their own lessons at schools because they are not able to: highlight the structural elements of each layer of the textbook, perform navigating, search for interactive and multimedia elements, add their own content, use various models of using this electronic tool in primary education. The article demonstrates general goals, content and three stages of activities undergraduate students should go through to master their skills in defining potential of electronic books and how they contribute into personal growth of a pupil during the lesson. The article describes how bachelors should estimate and use electronic versions. The article presents project tasks and exercises for analysis. It gives examples of professional competencies connected with using electronic textbooks during math lessons in primary schools: searching for pages, justifying the choice of the media library, as well as the stages of the lesson where one can use them, and others.

Investigating the Four Acquisition Skills in Fifth-Primary-Iraqi-Kurdistan-School Pupils in Reading from Teachers' Viewpoints

The study is an attempt to investigate the four acquisition skills in fifth-primary pupils of Iraqi Kurdistan in reading from the teachers' viewpoints. The sample of the study selected were (12) primary schools in Sulaimaniyah province in Iraq and its suburbs as parts of Sulaimaniyah Education Directorate in terms of (6) schools for male and (6) schools for female. Then, a questionnaire of (20) items was designed. The study aims at determining the four acquisition language skills (listening, speaking, reading, writing) of Iraqi Kurdistan students for the fifth-primary-school pupils in reading subject from the teachers' viewpoint and, then, arranging the skill according to its importance. The findings of the study proves that there is an influential factor that is the Glorious Quran , as they have sort of acquaintance on the Arabic language through reading and listening to the Glorious Quran.

TEACHING VOCABULARY MASTERY TO THE PRIMARY PUPILS THROUGH ALPHABET CARDS

The paper aims at explaining how primary pupils are taught vocabulary through Alphabet Cards. The subject of this classroom action research was 20 pupils. The research was a classroom action research which was conducted in two cycles where each cycle consisted of planning, implementation, observation and reflection. The data of this research were obtained from the results of the test and observation sheet, questionnaire, field notes, during the implementation of the action. The findings of the research showed that Alphabet Cards was effective in developing primary pupils’ vocabulary. The effectiveness of Alphabet Cards was shown by the improvement of pupils’ score. The findings revealed that in cycle 1 there were 12 pupils who achieved minimum criteria of achievement. It means that the classical achievement was 60%. In cycle 2, it showed that there were 17 of 20 pupils who achieved the minimum criteria of achievement. It means that the gain achievement was 85%. Gain achievement is based on the number of pupils who get the score at least the criteria of success (70). Both of the gained and individual achievements have met the criteria of success. It can be concluded that the Alphabet cards is very effective to develop the pupils’ vocabulary.