Improving Mathematics Education Among Teacher-Trainees Through the Use of Cuisenaire Rod in the Teaching of Fraction

Abstract:

The study is about using Cuisenaire rods to improve the teaching of fractions to teacher trainees (UTDBE) in St. Joseph’s College of Education - Bechem in the Tano South District in the Brong Ahafo Region. The sample comprised thirty-six (36) teacher trainees in St. Joseph’s College of Education. It involved the use of pre-test, post-test and questionnaire as the methods for data collection. The questionnaire was also analyzed. The findings revealed that the use of teaching and learning materials (Cuisenaire rods) greatly improve the teaching of fractions in mathematics. It was also realized that before teacher trainees could grasp the concept of addition and subtraction of fractions, the concept of equivalent fractions should be well understood. It was also realized that teacher trainees grasp a concept when they are taken through the procedure from concrete through semi-concrete and finally to the abstract. The implication of the findings is that teacher trainees should be encouraged to use teaching and learning materials to teach when introducing a concept. The concept of Equivalent fractions should be taught first before addition and subtraction of fractions are taught.