INFLUENCE OF COMPUTATIONAL AND MECHANICAL ERRORS IN LOGARITHMS OF NUMBERS ON STUDENTS’ PERFORMANCE IN MATHEMATICS IN PUBLIC, KENYA SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN MWALA SUB-COUNTY, MACHAKOS COUNTY, KENYA.
Keywords:
Mechanical errors, Computational errors, Mathematics, Logarithm,
Abstract
Purpose of the Study: The objective of the study was to examine the effect of logarithmic calculation errors on students’ performance in Mathematics in public secondary schools of Mwala sub-county, Machakos County, Kenya.
Methodology: This study employed a descriptive survey approach, targeting 6,720 students and 192 Mathematics teachers across 68 public secondary schools in Mwala Sub-County. A total of 672 students and 40 teachers from 20 randomly selected schools participated.
Findings: The findings of the study indicate that mechanical and computational mistakes significantly impact students' performance in mathematics tests on logarithms.
Conclusion: The study concludes that computational and mechanical errors significantly impact students' performance in mathematics tests on logarithms.
Recommendation: The study recommends that teachers should leverage these errors to develop interventions aimed at reducing them. Additionally, teachers have to be careful in the way they present logarithm concepts during the teaching process.
References
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Breidenbach, D., Dubinsky, E., Hawks, J., & Nichols, D. (1992). Development of the process conception of function. Educational studies in mathematics, 23(3), 247-285.
Chege, N. S. (2015). Assessment of Errors Made by Secondary School Students That Influence Achievementtin Solving Word Problems in Mathematics in Gatanga Sub Country. Kenya (Doctoral dissertation) Kenyatta University.
Donuata, I. G., & Pratama, F. W. (2021). Layer understanding the concepts of prospective teacher-students mathematics in solving problems logarithm. Axiom, 10(3), 1541–1553.
Dotan, D., & Zviran-Ginat, S. (2022). Elementary math in elementary school: the effect of interference on learning the multiplication table. Cognitive Research: Principles and Implications, 7(1), 1-17.
Engelhardt, J. M. (1982).' Using Computational Errors in Diagnostic Teaching'. Arithmetic Teacher vol. 29, No. 8 New York.
Gusmania, Y., & Amelia, F (2019). Development of learning modules mathematics based approach constructivism on logarithm material. Axiom: Journal of Mathematics and Mathematics education
Kastberg, S. E. (2002). Understanding mathematical concepts: The case of the logarithmic function (Doctoral dissertation, University of Georgia).
Khair, M. S., Subanji, & Muksar, M. (2018). Students' conceptual and procedural errors solving equation problems in terms of thinking style. Journal of Education: Theory Research and Development, 3(5), 620–633
Mugenda, O. M., & Mugenda, A. G., (2003). Research Methods; Quantitative and Qualitative Approaches: Nairobi: Acts press.
Mulungye, M. M., O'Connor, M., & Ndethiu, S. (2016). Sources of Student Errors and Misconceptions in Algebra and Effectiveness of Classroom Practice Remediation in Machakos County--Kenya. Journal of Education and Practice, 7(10), 31-33.
Nelson, G., & Powell, S. R. (2017). Computation error analysis: Students with mathematics difficulty compared to typically achieving students. Assessment for Effective Intervention, 43(3), 144–156. https://doi.org/10.1177/1534508417745627
Perencevich, K. C., Seidel, R. J., Kett, A. L., Perencevich, K. C., & Perencevich, S. (2007). Cognitive domain: Exponential and logarithmic functions in mathematics. From Principles of Learning to Strategies for Instruction with Workbook Companion, 263-305.
Piaget, J. (1967). Piaget's theory of intellectual development: An introduction. Prentice-Hall, Inc. Englewood cliffs.
Radatz, H. (1980). Students' errors in the mathematical learning process: a survey. For the learning of Mathematics, 1(1), 16-20.
Rafi, I., & Retnawati, H. (2018). What are the common errors made by students in solving logarithm problems? Journal of Physics: Conference Series, 1097, 012157. https://doi.org/10.1088/1742-6596/1097/1/012157
Rafi, I., & Retnawati, H. (2018, September). What are the common errors made by students in solving logarithm problems? In Journal of Physics: Conference Series (Vol. 1097, No. 1, p. 012157). IOP Publishing.
Sfard, A. (1991). On The Dual Nature of Mathematical Conceptions: Reflections on Processes and Objects as Different Sides of the Same Coin. Educational Studies in Mathematics, 22(1), 1–36. https://doi.org/10.1007/bf00302715.
Toth, G., & Toth, G. (2021). Exponential and Logarithmic Functions. Elements of Mathematics: A Problem-Centered Approach to History and Foundations, 423-468.
Vygotsky, L. (2011). Interaction between learning and development. Linköpings universitet
Wahyuni, A., Kurniawan, P., Waluya, S. B., & Cahyono, A. N. (2019). Error Analysis Students in Solving Integral Problems. EDUSAINTEK, 3
Weber, K. (2002). Students' Understanding of Exponential and Logarithmic Functions. ERIC Document Reproduction Service No. ED477690
West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) For School candidates, (2017). Chief Examiners’ Reports. https://school.olagshs.edu.gh/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/WASSCE-2017-CER-CORRECT.pdf
Wood, E. (2005). Understanding logarithms. Teaching Mathematics and Its Applications: An International Journal of the IMA, 24(4), 167–178. https://doi.org/10.1093/teamat/hrh023
Yodiatmana, Y., & Kartini, K. (2022). Analysis of student errors in solving basic logarithmic problems using Kastolan error analysis. Jurnal Gantang, 7(2), 129–136. https://doi.org/10.31629/jg.v7i2.4689
Breidenbach, D., Dubinsky, E., Hawks, J., & Nichols, D. (1992). Development of the process conception of function. Educational studies in mathematics, 23(3), 247-285.
Chege, N. S. (2015). Assessment of Errors Made by Secondary School Students That Influence Achievementtin Solving Word Problems in Mathematics in Gatanga Sub Country. Kenya (Doctoral dissertation) Kenyatta University.
Donuata, I. G., & Pratama, F. W. (2021). Layer understanding the concepts of prospective teacher-students mathematics in solving problems logarithm. Axiom, 10(3), 1541–1553.
Dotan, D., & Zviran-Ginat, S. (2022). Elementary math in elementary school: the effect of interference on learning the multiplication table. Cognitive Research: Principles and Implications, 7(1), 1-17.
Engelhardt, J. M. (1982).' Using Computational Errors in Diagnostic Teaching'. Arithmetic Teacher vol. 29, No. 8 New York.
Gusmania, Y., & Amelia, F (2019). Development of learning modules mathematics based approach constructivism on logarithm material. Axiom: Journal of Mathematics and Mathematics education
Kastberg, S. E. (2002). Understanding mathematical concepts: The case of the logarithmic function (Doctoral dissertation, University of Georgia).
Khair, M. S., Subanji, & Muksar, M. (2018). Students' conceptual and procedural errors solving equation problems in terms of thinking style. Journal of Education: Theory Research and Development, 3(5), 620–633
Mugenda, O. M., & Mugenda, A. G., (2003). Research Methods; Quantitative and Qualitative Approaches: Nairobi: Acts press.
Mulungye, M. M., O'Connor, M., & Ndethiu, S. (2016). Sources of Student Errors and Misconceptions in Algebra and Effectiveness of Classroom Practice Remediation in Machakos County--Kenya. Journal of Education and Practice, 7(10), 31-33.
Nelson, G., & Powell, S. R. (2017). Computation error analysis: Students with mathematics difficulty compared to typically achieving students. Assessment for Effective Intervention, 43(3), 144–156. https://doi.org/10.1177/1534508417745627
Perencevich, K. C., Seidel, R. J., Kett, A. L., Perencevich, K. C., & Perencevich, S. (2007). Cognitive domain: Exponential and logarithmic functions in mathematics. From Principles of Learning to Strategies for Instruction with Workbook Companion, 263-305.
Piaget, J. (1967). Piaget's theory of intellectual development: An introduction. Prentice-Hall, Inc. Englewood cliffs.
Radatz, H. (1980). Students' errors in the mathematical learning process: a survey. For the learning of Mathematics, 1(1), 16-20.
Rafi, I., & Retnawati, H. (2018). What are the common errors made by students in solving logarithm problems? Journal of Physics: Conference Series, 1097, 012157. https://doi.org/10.1088/1742-6596/1097/1/012157
Rafi, I., & Retnawati, H. (2018, September). What are the common errors made by students in solving logarithm problems? In Journal of Physics: Conference Series (Vol. 1097, No. 1, p. 012157). IOP Publishing.
Sfard, A. (1991). On The Dual Nature of Mathematical Conceptions: Reflections on Processes and Objects as Different Sides of the Same Coin. Educational Studies in Mathematics, 22(1), 1–36. https://doi.org/10.1007/bf00302715.
Toth, G., & Toth, G. (2021). Exponential and Logarithmic Functions. Elements of Mathematics: A Problem-Centered Approach to History and Foundations, 423-468.
Vygotsky, L. (2011). Interaction between learning and development. Linköpings universitet
Wahyuni, A., Kurniawan, P., Waluya, S. B., & Cahyono, A. N. (2019). Error Analysis Students in Solving Integral Problems. EDUSAINTEK, 3
Weber, K. (2002). Students' Understanding of Exponential and Logarithmic Functions. ERIC Document Reproduction Service No. ED477690
West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) For School candidates, (2017). Chief Examiners’ Reports. https://school.olagshs.edu.gh/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/WASSCE-2017-CER-CORRECT.pdf
Wood, E. (2005). Understanding logarithms. Teaching Mathematics and Its Applications: An International Journal of the IMA, 24(4), 167–178. https://doi.org/10.1093/teamat/hrh023
Yodiatmana, Y., & Kartini, K. (2022). Analysis of student errors in solving basic logarithmic problems using Kastolan error analysis. Jurnal Gantang, 7(2), 129–136. https://doi.org/10.31629/jg.v7i2.4689
Published
2024-04-05
How to Cite
Kiilu, E. M., Mulwa, D. M., & Kimiti, R. (2024). INFLUENCE OF COMPUTATIONAL AND MECHANICAL ERRORS IN LOGARITHMS OF NUMBERS ON STUDENTS’ PERFORMANCE IN MATHEMATICS IN PUBLIC, KENYA SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN MWALA SUB-COUNTY, MACHAKOS COUNTY, KENYA. African Journal of Emerging Issues, 6(5), 1-15. Retrieved from https://ajoeijournals.org/sys/index.php/ajoei/article/view/567
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