Project AIM (Accuracy in Multiplication)-a Drill Intervention Program to Remedy Pupils with Lack of Computational Fluency in Basic Multiplication Facts

Abstract

INTRODUCTION

Teachers of today seem to neglect the importance of mathematical drill activities in fixing the memory of basic multiplication facts where some of our pupils found difficulty in computation. It is very timely to make this research possible because many tasks across all domains of mathematics and across many subject areas call upon the recall of basic multiplication facts. Basic multiplication facts are considered to be fundamental for further advancement in Mathematics. They form the basis for learning multi-digit multiplication, fractions, ratios, divisions, and decimals. These underlying principles led the researcher to investigate the effects of Project AIM as a drill intervention program to remedy pupils with a lack of computational fluency in basic multiplication facts.

METHODS

The participants were divided into two groups: the controlled group and experimental group. Grade IV Mabini with 48 pupils was the controlled group and GradeIV Rizal with 49 pupils was the experimental group. This study used the purposive sampling procedure in the selection of the participants. The participants belong to the low average learners.

To assess the effectiveness of Project AIM as drill intervention program in the performance level of Grade IV pupils in Mathematics, the following research instruments were used: numeracy test in multiplication to determine the performance level of the pupils before and after the study and Project AIM was utilized by the teacher as intervention program using drill activities every day.

RESULTS

Based on the results of the study, it has been proven that the use of Project AIM constitutes as one of the effective forms of intervention in Mathematics. It has a high implication on the learning of Grade IV pupils specifically in improving the computational fluency of pupils in basic multiplication facts. The findings showed that the scores of the experimental group have improved a lot in their post-test compared to their pre-test scores.

DISCUSSIONS

Utilization of Project AIM has been effective in achieving multiplication accuracy and it has a significant relationship on pupils' performance in relation to Mathematics. It is highly recommended that the use of Project AIM be utilized as a form of intervention in Mathematics. Teachers shall make such intervention a daily part of the lesson to achieve positive results. Future researchers are encouraged to undertake another research study on the use of Project AIM to find out how truly effective is the intervention.