Students? Level of Mathematical Comprehension and the Modified Moore's Method in Teaching Mathematics

Teaching methods in Mathematics qualify and quantify the learning of the students. That explains why Mathematics educators today are concerned with the way the subject taught. This study was conducted to determine the effectiveness of a method in improving students performance in Mathematics. This investigated the effect of modified Moores method on students achievement and conceptual understanding in the subject. Also investigated in this study is the relationship between mathematical comprehension and students achievement and conceptual understanding in the subject. The grade 9 students in Cogon National High School, Cogon, El Salvador City constituted the sample of the study. A pretest-posttest quasi-experimental control group design was utilized. From among the three classes, two intact sections were chosen, one for the experimental group and the other for the control group. The experimental group was taught using the contemporary method. At start, a pretest on achievement, conceptual understanding and mathematical comprehension tests were given to the two classes. The same tests were administered after the experimental period. Mean, standard deviation, analysis of covariance and Pearson Product Moment Correlation were utilized to analyze the data. Results of the study revealed that at start, the two groups have comparable low scores in the pretest of the achievement test and in the three facets of understanding, namely, explain, interpret, and apply, and their scores were homogenous with very low standard deviation. In the posttest however, significant difference in the performance of the students in the achievement and conceptual understanding tests was observed in favor of those exposed to modified Moores method. It was also found out that there is a significant relationship between students mathematical comprehension skill and their achievement and conceptual understanding in Mathematics. The researcher recommends the use of modified Moores method in teaching topics in grade 9 Mathematics and for the teachers to help students read, understand, and use Mathematical term, symbols, and expression.