Improving Students' Mastery Level on Fundamental Operations of Integers through Five-Minute Flashcard Drill

Abstract

INTRODUCTION

Math is one of the most difficult subjects for students. Many students enter high school level with severe gaps in their concepts and skills in mathematics. They fail to realize that the mastery of fundamental operations is the most important skill for one to be good in math. One of these skills is the integers, a necessary prerequisite skill to solve equations. A common problem on the basic foundational knowledge that the students face is that they can add and subtract positive integers with ease but have difficulty in numbers with different signs, and more so in multiplying and dividing integers. In this study, to mitigate the existing problem, the researcher conducted remediation supported by evidence and theories.

METHODS

Using a validated pretest, students were asked to take the test and those who did not reach the 75% rating underwent the five-minute flashcard drill on fundamental operations of integers in improving their performance on the competency for three months. According to Silbert, Carnine, & Stein, 1981, using the Direct Instruction (DI) flashcard system has been a successful academic intervention strategy. After the three-month period, students underwent a post-test and data collected were analyzed through quantitative means like frequencies, and Mean Percentage Score (MPS) formula and standards.

RESULTS

Out of 45 students who took the pretest, only 14 (31%) mastered the competency. Three of the students were within the nearing mastery level and 28 students were beginners. The 31 (69%) of the 45 students underwent the said remediation. In the post-test, 38 of the students (93%) were able to reach the mastery level and only three students (11%) were within the nearing mastery level. Moreover, those from within the beginning mastery before the intervention was conducted had improved so much that most of them mastered the competency. Lastly, the MPS of all students on the pre-test was relatively lower than that of the post-test. Evidently, the MPS in the post-test increased more than half from the pre-test. From 57.33 in the pre-test, it rose to 86.75 with an overall increase of 29.42.

DISCUSSIONS

The results show that the utilization of the five-minute flashcard drill was proven to be effective in improving students' mastery of the competency. Constant practice on the fundamental concepts will also lead to a full understanding of the competency. Math teachers should not forget to always go back to fundamentals if there are difficulties in mastering the current competency