Experimental Study to determine the effectiveness of Kumon Method in comparison with traditional lecture method for teaching of mathematics to Grade-5

Abstract

The study was designed to investigate the effectiveness of Kumon method in comparison with traditional method in the teaching of Mathematics to grade-5. Kumon is a math and reading enrichment program, which provides practice and instruction to each individual. This helps the students to think and work independently. The hypothesis of this experimental study was that in Mathematics, Grade-5 students have no significant difference in their academic achievement treated by Kumon method and by traditional lecture method. The objectives of the study were to determine the effectiveness of Kumon teaching method for academic achievement of children in Mathematics, to find out the effectiveness of traditional teaching method for academic achievement of children in Mathematics, to make the comparison between the effectiveness of Kumon teaching method and traditional lecture method for academic achievement of the students and to compare the effectiveness of Kuman method on academic achievement of boys and girls in Mathematics. To achieve these objectives and to test the hypothesis, Kumon method was applied by Pre-test and Post-test equivalent group design. Two tests(pre-test and post-test) containing MCQs were developed. All grade-5 students of Fazaia inter colleges of Rawalpindi and Islamabad was the population. Cluster sampling technique was used. One of the three Fazaia colleges (junior section) was selected randomly. All grade-5 students of the selected cluster formed the sample of the study. The study was conducted in two phases at two different time periods applying the same procedure, the same teachers but the groups were different. Data was collected and analyzed by applying t-test and recommendations were given on the basis of findings of the study. This experimental research shows that Kumon method is more effective for teaching mathematics to Grade 5 students in comparison with traditional lecture method. It also shows that Kumon method is equally helpful in teaching mathematics effectively to boys and girls.