GENDER-BASED DIFFERENCE IN INTEREST IN MATHEMATICS AMONG MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENTS IN ABUJA MUNICIPAL AREA COUNCIL, ABUJA USING AUDIO-VISUAL INSTRUCTIONAL AIDS

Abstract

This study set out to examine gender-based difference in interest and achievement in mathematics among middle school students in Abuja Municipal Area Council using audio-visual instructional aids. The research adopted quasi-experimental research design. Data were collected from a sample of 64 students comprising 32 boys and 32girls from two randomly selected government junior secondary schools in Abuja Municipal Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory. The schools were grouped into one experimental and one control groups. Audio visual assisted instruction (AVAI) was used for the experimental group while the control group was taught using the conventional method. A 50 item instrument called Mathematics Achievement Test (MAT) developed by the researcher with a reliability coefficient of 0.78 using Kuder-Richardson formula 21 and a mathematics Interest scale (MIS) with 14 items and 5 response options were used for data collection, Data collected were analyzed using descriptive statistics of mean and standard deviation for answering the research questions and t-test at coefficient alpha level of 0.05 for testing the hypotheses. The results shows that there is no significant difference between the academic achievement and interest of male and female students who were exposed to Audio visual assisted instruction. Based on these findings, it was recommended that mathematics teachers should be encouraged to use audio visual assisted instructions to teach mathematics at all levels of education and teachers in training should be equipped with knowledge of computer vast enough in to be able to make effective use of audio- visual assisted instruction for mathematics teaching. as it is beneficial to both genders.