First-year students’ mathematical skills: assessing and developing an innovative strategy for teaching mathematics

Abstract

In order to succeed in advanced mathematics and other related courses while in college, students must have a strong foundation in the subject of mathematics. Thus, this study aimed to determine the level of students’ fundamental skills in mathematics in the areas of number sense, mathematical representation, spatial skills, estimation, patterns, and problem-solving when they are grouped according to the school of origin, strand, and program enrolled. Likewise, to test if there is a significant difference in fundamental mathematics skills when grouped according to the demographics. A descriptive comparative research design was utilized, and 278 first-year students participated. The results revealed that students performed better on their fundamental skills in mathematics in the area of patterns and performed lowest mean in spatial skills. Students who graduated from public schools performed well in all areas compared to private school students; in terms of program enrolled, fundamental skills in math varies. Furthermore, there is a significant difference in students’ fundamental skills in mathematics when grouped according to the school of origin and strand, otherwise in program enrolled. This study suggests that mathematics teachers must utilize a different teaching strategy suited to students’ needs following the learner-centered approach in teaching.