The Utilization of intedrill Cards as A tool in increasing the Mastery in Subtraction of integers among Grade 7 Students

Abstract

INTRODUCTION

The study arose from the observation of previous higher Math students who were tutees of the author. They sought tutoring because Pre-Calculus and General Mathematics were prerequisite subjects in the strand they have chosen. All of them were having difficulty not on the current topics per se, but on the basic foundations of Math; some of which are arithmetic, fractions, integer operations, and laws on exponents. The importance of these basics could not be quantified as to which is the greatest, but definitely the operations on integers is one of the most baffling. To be able to comprehend fully the complexities of Algebra, Analytic Geometry, Trigonometry and Calculus, one must have a solid foundation on the operations on integers, long before the complex topics are introduced.

METHODS

The Experimental Research Design was used in the study. Individuals were randomly assigned to the two groups; one group was called the control group and the other was the test group. One group used the InteDrill (test group) and the other group (control group) did not. The experimentation process will last for one week. On the first day the students were given pretest and then the following day, the InteDrill was administered to the test group. The post-test was given on Friday. The raw scores in the pre-and post-test were recorded. The percentage of increase for both groups were then computed and compared to know if and by how much greater will be the edge on the scores of the experimental group.

RESULTS

The percent increase in mean percentage of scores from pre-test to post-test of the experimental group was about 192%, which has a stunning difference from the control group's 123%. This by then, implies that the tool is effective even with only one week of administration.

DISCUSSIONS

Mastery of any math skill for the learners has been a common objective for math educators. Given the time allotment for each competency and all the other subjects being taught to students, the chances for all the learners to have full confidence in basic math may be slim if not nil. With the result of this research, it is recommended to make drill cards a part of the curriculum to therefore allot enough time to master not just operations on integers, but also other basic math skills.