Mount Kenya University

School of Education
Early Childhood Studies Department
Bachelor in Education Early Childhood Studies
BEC4213: Methods of Teaching Primary Mathematics
Continuous Assessment Test

a) Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of the various methods of teaching

mathematics.
Lecture Method/ Teacher centred method
In this method, knowledge is delivered through a speech. This is the oldest and most
important teaching method because it is always a part of all other instructional
methodologies. In this method, a teacher takes part as an active participant and students
are at the receiving end most of the time. It is appropriate for theoretical concepts and
complex mathematical procedures.
Advantages
 This is the most convenient and easy method as students are able to tap on the vast
knowledge of the teacher.
 This is the fastest way to deliver knowledge when the syllabus content is heavy and the
students are new to it.
 Many students can be taught by one teacher where the strength of a class is very high
there is no need for much explanations or attention to each student.
 It is very helpful when introducing new concepts.
Disadvantages
 This is a teacher centred approach so students do not play active role and this may reduce
their interest.
 This method does not develop reasoning and thinking ability in the students as they
depend on what is delivered to them by the teacher.
 Sometimes lectures become boring because there is less involvement of students
 In this method, teacher-student relationship is not developed in proper way and it
becomes essential for teachers to enhance their writing and communication skills.
Inductive Method
This method is also called scientific method in which we proceed from known to
unknown, from specific to general and from example to a formula. Students are presented
some similar examples or problems related to one particular domain. Then students try to
establish a formula, rule, law or principal by observing them.
Advantages
 It is useful when introducing a new mathematical concept along with a formula or rule as
this makes students creative.
 It’s a method that is involving and students who like the inductive approach can introduce
more complicated rules or formulas
 It’s a student centred approach because students play an active role in it and this increases
their interests.
 Since students may establish laws and principles by themselves it gives them confidence.
 This method helps to motivate the students to think logically and make the learning
environment more interesting.
 Students easily remember the laws or principles which they prove by themselves.
Disadvantages
 It is quite time consuming and laborious as students have to understand different
concepts in order to solve problems.
 To establish a law or principle is not the complete process of learning. Students have
to practise a lot to understand the concept fully.
 Sometimes a formula or rule proved with the help of some similar examples does not
apply in other similar cases.
Analytic Method /descriptive method
In this method, the problem is analyzed by breaking it up in small segments and then
move towards solution. It leads us from the unknown part of the problem to something
already known or given in the problem statement.
Advantages
 This is a pure logical method so it creates less chance of doubts and students are
sure of the problems they are working on.
  Discovering the solution is an essential part of this method so it enhances logical
thinking and reasoning ability of the students
 Students always play an active role in this method and do not to memorize any
set procedure to solve a problem.
Disadvantages
 This method is quite lengthy and time consuming and efficiency is not always
guaranteed.
 This method is only possible when we have knowledge on known facts and unknown
conclusion.
 This is not suitable if the syllabus lengthy as it may not be completed in due time.
Synthetic Method
This method is completely opposite to the analytic method as we proceed from the given or
known elements in the problems to the desired solution or unknown. In this method, we
synthesis or put together separate elements or small portions given in the problems to draw a
series of conclusions until the unknown or desired result is found. Synthetic method can be used
to solve the problems more quickly.
Advantages
 Synthetic method is short, brief and quick method.
 It is quick because of deductive reasoning.
 It sharpens the memory of students.
 Teachers can finish the lengthy course in time through it.
 It provides opportunity to the students to practise mathematical formulas or procedures
Disadvantages
 It does not develop reasoning ability in the students.
 Students have to remember so many steps without reasoning.
 If a student forgets any mathematical proof then it is very difficult to recall it step by step.
 It does not clarify the concepts completely and it is neither psychological nor scientific in
nature
 Laboratory Method
Mathematics is different from other subjects involving readings thus practical work is its
major part. Laboratory method has the capacity to deal with practical work in
mathematics. It is a method of “learning by doing”. That is why, different kinds of tools
and equipment are used in it to perform practical work which includes drawing of
different shapes, taking measurements of geometrical figures and making of charts and
graphs.
Advantages
 It is student centred method.
 Students play an active role so they do not get bored and it is based on discovery
approach.
 Knowledge gained through practical work is long lasting
 As students establish laws and formulas by themselves so they gain confidence.
 When students work in the groups then their learning becomes fast because of sharing
information and ideas.
Disadvantages
 It is very lengthy process.
 It is restricted to those topics only in which practical work is involved.
 It is very ineffective as many schools may not have capacity to spend a lot of money on
tools and equipment involved in this method.
 Teachers have to practise a lot before applying this method in the classroom or
laboratory
 b) What are the purposes of the following professional records applicable in teaching
mathematics: -
 Syllabus
A syllabus is most simply a document that expresses to the reader or student the intentions of the
teacher regarding course content, learning goals, assessment approach, and expectations.  It
outlines for the student what is expected to transpire during the course and what should be
learned.
Purposes
 It establishes a contact and connection between students and instructors by stating the
objectives and goals to be achieved at the end of the course.
 It sets the tone for the course by streamlining the content of course.
 It ultimately includes information that will facilitate the academic success of students.
 It informs students of the course structure, goals and learning outcomes.
 It outlines a student’s responsibilities for success.
 It defines a teacher’s duties towards the overall development of students.
 It describes the materials/activities that support learning outside the classroom.

 Scheme of work
It is a detailed breakdown of the syllabus in terms of lessons, weeks, terms and year for the
purpose of orderly and systematic teaching. The scheme of work is derived from the Life Skills
Education Syllabus.

Purposes

 It is for easy taking and handing over in case of transfer, this reduces the time needed in
teaching in a new environment.
 It allows a teacher to seek for relevant material for effective implementation of the
mathematical as well as any other relevant concepts necessary for the students
 It helps the teacher to complete specific topics or work within a given period of time since
there is an already laid strategy to be followed.
  Lesson plan
Lesson planning is a significant element of teaching-learning system. A lesson plan is a step-by-
step guide that provides a structure for an essential learning. Before planning a lesson, it is
essential to classify the learning outcomes for the class
Purposes
It helps organize online classes

One of the main benefits of lesson plans is organization. Some teachers get lost regarding the
content to be taught, especially when classes are recorded and aren’t very long. A lesson plan
helps to create a macro view of the course and not only of the separate parts. Teachers are able to
think more about the time for each content and also about the order in which each theme will be
presented.

It provides resources and tools

With a lesson plan, teachers are able to understand which tools and resources are applicable to
their material and when to use each of these options. There are several educational tools that can
be employed by teachers in order to improve their courses. If they only think about them at the
time they are teaching they may forget to use them.

It facilitates the creation of scripts

With a lesson plan, teachers are able to come up with scripts, since this document allows teachers
to identify the goals of each mathematical class. Knowing what needs to be taught makes the
creation of a script simpler when recording content.

It helps during class preparation

Lesson plans help teachers know what content they’ll teach their students and therefore prepare
for them. It is possible for teachers to practice what they will teach and this enables them to have
easy time while teaching. In addition, teachers have more available time to research content,
which makes it possible to add information beyond the basic.
It enables possible changes

During the development of the lesson plan, teachers might realize that certain points need to be
reviewed, tools that need to be replaced, and a lesson that requires special attention. With the
document in hand, it is easier to make changes.

 Progress records
It is a student report card which indicates how well the student is doing in the program being
offered, whether the student is satisfactorily progressing, being placed on probation, or being
dismissed
Purposes
Evaluating progress
It helps in evaluating progress of students. It helps in analyzing the trend of performance by a
student. The past records of a student helps in finding out the areas where the student needs to
improve on.

Facilitate comparison
Progress record helps to evaluate student performance based on past and present records. It helps
in comparison between exams to another or between performances in different topics.

Helpful in decision-making
Records are useful for future decisions making process on student’s welfare. The study of past
records shows direction for future. A teacher is able to review student’s performance and know
areas that need improvement.

It acts as Evidence
Records acts as an evidence in the time when a student may raise issues based on the
performance. It is important for the settlement of dispute.

 Records of work
It is a document where all details of the work covered by the teacher is entered on a daily basis.
The entries are made by the individual teacher after every lesson.
Purposes
 It ensures accountability and transparency of work covered by the teacher
 The continuity of teaching of a particular class is indicated
 It helps a new teacher to trace where to start teaching a class
 It helps in the evaluation of schemes of work after a period of time for example four
years
 It allows for uniformity in content coverage in case of several streams.

 Time table
A learner is very important as it helps you maximize and prioritize on the things that are of
urgency or importance
Purposes
It ensures smooth and orderly working of the school: The major achievement of timetable is
that everything is planned in advance. All the teachers and students know their jobs as well as the
time they are to devote to each activity
It prevents wastage of time and energy: The timetable shows exactly what is to be done at a
particular time. It, thus, directs the attention of both the pupil and the teacher to one thing at a
time
It helps in the formulation of good habits: A good timetable is very helpful in inculcating the
habits of orderliness, punctuality and steadiness of purpose, both in the teachers and the students.
It ensures regularity and even progress by preventing laxity
It ensures equitable distribution of time to different activities: The timetable gives due place,
extension and emphasis to various contents in a subject and activities in the school, according to
their relative importance or difficulty. This is very essential for the all round development of the
pupils.
 Health records
These are documents containing information about a student’s health, which includes student’s
name, gender, birthdate, immunizations, results of testing and screenings, medical diagnoses,
issued or prescribed medications and treatments.
Purposes
 It is necessary as teachers are made aware of student suffering from any illness and this
makes it easy for the teacher to know how to handle such students.
 It is necessary as teachers are prepared on how to provide first aid and
provide health counseling during their interactions with students.
 Teachers are able to support their students to acquire self-management skills while
relying on the health records
 Student care manage can be enhanced as the teacher is made aware of necessary facilities
and conducive environment needed for the improved student performance.