Activity-based teaching methods for better learning in primary mathematics classrooms

Introduction                                                                                                                         
In response to the ongoing global reforms in the education sector and overall technological development of the society, teachers should teach mathematics as a main subject to enhance the national set goals. Froebel (1826) described the importance of activity-based teaching method as “Activities and playing are the highest expression of human development in childhood." Research findings on effective mathematics teaching focus on instruction that promote student's involvement in activity-based learning, which has been found to be more suitable than the  other teaching methods. In addition, recent primary education reforms of Sri Lanka emphasize that teaching should be done through activity-based teaching methods (primary mathematics teacher guide, 2015). This is based on the hypothesis that activity-based teaching methods will help to increase the interest of students and improve their academic performance in mathematics. Therefore in Sri Lanka, primary mathematics teachers are being requested to embrace activity-based teaching methods such as play-based learning methods. 
 
Research background
In 1997, I was appointed as a mathematics teacher by the Ministry of Education in Sri Lanka. In 2008, I joined the Teacher Educator Service as a lecturer. I am now working as a mathematics lecturer in Amarasuriya Teachers Training College, Galle, Sri Lanka. As a teacher educator, I was disappointed to find that only 14% of primary mathematics teacher trainees of Amarasuriya teachers training college, implemented activity-based teaching methods during the teaching practice period. Two questions need to be therefore answered:

• Why do the teacher trainees not attempt to implement activity-based teaching methods in the teaching-learning process?
• How can the usage of activity-based teaching methods in primary mathematics be improved?

 
This background inspired me to implement an action research in order to improve the implementation of activity-based teaching methods in the teaching-learning process in key stage 2  (Grade 3 and 4) class rooms. This study is important as its findings will help to plan for the effective use of this model pedagogy of teaching primary mathematics in Sri Lanka. Also, it will be helpful for students to learn mathematics in a better way within the collaborative context, while promoting knowledge, aptitude and skills in primary classrooms.

Research objectives
The purpose of this paper is to conduct an action research on activity-based  teaching methods used by teacher trainers of  teacher’s  training college of Sri Lanka. The following objectives were established and achieved in this study:
* To examine the perceptions of primary mathematics teacher trainees on the use of activity based  teaching methods
*  To establish an instructional model for creating activities in activity based  learning
* To improve the implementation of activity-based teaching methods in the teaching-learning process in key stage 2 

Literature review
Activity-based learning as the name suggests is a process whereby students actively engaged in the learning process rather than just sitting and listening to the lesson. It is based on the core premise that learning should be based on doing some hands-on experiments and discussion, practical activities, analysis and evaluation of the topic under discussion (Azuka, 2013). The models of activity-based learning suggest that all learning activities involve some kind of learners’ experiences which emphasizes observing and doing (Kathleen, 1996). According to Kathleen (1996) the idea of active learning is based on the premise that students learn best when they are actively involved in the teaching-learning process. Also, activity-based learning derives from two basic assumptions.: (1) that learning is by nature an active endeavor, and (2) that different people learn in different ways. According to the literature review, characteristics of activity based learning could be identified as follows (Bonwel and Eison, 1991):

• Students are involved in learning activities more than listening, and less emphasis is placed on transmitting information and more on developing student’s skills.
• Students are involved in higher-order thinking such as analysis, synthesis, and evaluation.
• ​Greater emphasis is placed on student’s exploration on their own attitudes and values.

 
Emaiku (2012) stated that activity-based learning offers so many benefits for both teachers and primary students, for example, they reinforce course content, develop team building skills, enhance learners self-esteem, promote participatory learning, allow for opportunities for problem solving, promote the concept of discovery learning, strengthen learner's bond, help in practical application of course content, enhance communication with diverse learning, prepare an enjoyable/ exciting learning environment. Most importantly, in activity-based learning both the teachers and students are active in the teaching-learning processes.
 
Activity-based learning is a student-centered learning method, however teachers should be highly prepared for this teaching environment. In the Sri Lankan context, Magomoni (2011) recommended that primary teachers should be provided guidelines in the teacher's guide of primary education, as they do not have awareness  of activity-based teaching methods. It encouraged me to undertake this action research.

Methodology
This research is an action research deploying both quantitative and qualitative methods. The purpose of using a combination of methods was to make the scope  of research wider, with the idea of balancing the shortcomings  of each approach.
 
A purposive sampling technique was used to select 45 primary mathematics teachers trainees in Amarasuriya teachers’ training College, Galle. 

Fig. 1: Sample size categorized in gender

Data was gathered during August 2017 to January 2018 through questionnaire, informal interviews, and  a reflective journal. In the first phase, basic data relating to the perceptions of  teacher trainees on the use of activity-based teaching methods was gathered using a survey questionnaire. Before data collection, this questionnaire was validated with 10 students. The questionnaire was further improved by addressing the issues uncovered during the validation exercise and then, it was administered to the sample of 45 primary mathematics teacher trainees in a primary mathematics course.

The questionnaire consisted of two parts: The first part captured the general information, while the second part comprised of an attitudinal scale with 25 questions. The first  intervention was done with  basic data gathered  from  the results of the questionnaire and it was planned to address the first two problems encountered in attitudinal scale in questionnaire. As the first intervention, group discussions were conducted with the sample on activity-based teaching methods. A presentation was also made on the possibility of using activity-based teaching method as one of the enjoyable teaching methods. After the first intervention, focus group interviews were conducted during which the sample participants were advised to maintain reflective journals for assessing  their knowledge and  attitude about activity-based teaching by themselves. Finally, with my support, the  teacher  trainees collectively worked in groups and designed group activities to teach the selected four basic concepts on primary mathematics in key stage 2.

In the second intervention, eight teacher trainees were selected from the sample and trained to implement the designed activities in a real classroom setting. As a result of the second intervention, it was decided to identify the activities which are difficult to be implemented in the classroom, and to conduct them in the open environment.

Picture Set 1: The second intervention - teachers using activity-based teaching with students in the classroom

The third and final intervention was carried out on the basis of the outcomes of the second intervention. Activities were implemented with  fewer number of students of grade three in the open environment. The responses of the classroom students were captured using a picture-mode questionnaire.

Picture Set 2: The third intervention - activity-based teaching methods implemented in the open environment 

Results and discussion 
According to the teacher trainees' responses to the questionnaire in the base line survey,  42% of the sample have a narrow view of  activity-based  learning methods while 77% disagreed that they have skills on using activity-based  teaching  methods. It was revealed that 72% of sample was of the view that they have difficulties in the classroom and 72.3% of the sample agreed that many teachers in schools do not use activity-based teaching methods. However, 87% of teacher trainees agreed that activity-based learning methods can give students a sense of participation.

Figure 2: Attitudes of teacher trainees on activity-based learning methods

As shown in figure 2, 86.6% respondents are of the view that activity-based learning methods enhance the retention and recall of mathematics concepts by students. and 84.4% of the teacher trainees agree that activity-based teaching methods help to improve classroom interaction. However, 60% of the sample indicated the time allocated for mathematics is not enough for activity-based learning in their school.

During the informal Interviews, 82% of  teacher trainees said that they don’t  have the knowledge to implement activity-based teaching methods in primary mathematics. It was found that teacher trainees had a positive attitude toward activity-based teaching methods but it was evident that they were experiencing difficulty in conducting activity-based teaching methods in praxis. Taking these problems into consideration, an intervention plan was developed and the first intervention was implemented.
 
By the end of first intervention with reflective journals, it was found that teacher trainees now had sufficient knowledge of activity-based teaching methods. They decided to introduce three factors: physical exercise, correct mathematical concept and  pleasure  in activity-based learning, especially in primary mathematics. It was subsequently named as the "three domain model". In the second intervention, under the three domain model, the teacher trainees designed eight group activities on four basic concepts selected on primary mathematics curriculum in key stage 2. These activities were tried out with 45 students of grade three in the selected school. It was  revealed that 75% of the prepared activities could not be implemented in the classroom due to insufficient space for interaction with each student.
 
The study found that the major problems in the use of activity-based  teaching methods in the classroom are lack of instructional materials and resources due to high number (about 45) of students in the  classroom. In addition, the time allocation for each period was not sufficient to carry out activity-based  teaching-learning process.

As a result of these reflections, it was decided to rearrange some activities so that they may be implemented in the open environment of the selected school for a random sample of 30 students of grade three.
 
After the third  intervention,  100% of the students opined that they learned enthusiastically under activity-based learning and also 100% of the teacher trainees in the sample expressed  that they expected to use activity-based teaching methods in next teaching practice period.

At the end of these interventions, teacher trainees were engaged in block teaching (teaching practice) period and it was found that  92% of the teacher trainees  showed keen interest in the implementation of activity-based teaching methods learned through this  action research.

Conclusion
The study found that only 42% of the teacher trainers know about activity based teaching.  Therefore, it was obvious that 58% of the sample have a narrow view of activity-based  learning methods. 77% disagreed that they had skills on using activity-based teaching  methods. It was revealed that 72% of sample was of the view that they have difficulties in the classroom to use activity-based teaching methods and also, 72.3% of the sample  agreed that many teachers in schools do not use activity-based  teaching methods.

It could be concluded that many primary teachers in Sri Lankan schools do not use activity-based teaching methods in schools. However, 87% of the sample agreed that activity-based teaching methods can give students a sense of participation and collaborative learning. Also, 84.4% of the  teacher trainees agreed to use activity-based teaching methods as these are helpful in improving classroom interaction. This outcome is very encouraging as it will help in improving the activity-based teaching and learning process of primary mathematics in schools.

In addition, 60% of the sample indicated that time allocated for primary mathematics period is not enough for activity-based learning in their school. 82% of  teacher trainees said that they don’t  have skills and  knowledge to implement activity-based teaching methods in primary mathematics.
 
While considering the above results, it is clear that most of the  teacher trainees  do not use activity-based teaching methods due to their lack of clear understanding, insufficient skills  and difficulties in classroom. Nevertheless, by improving the knowledge and positive attitude about activity-based teaching methods with thorough discussion and video presentation, they can be directed to use activity-based teaching methods.

Therefore, it is imperative to create activities for teaching primary mathematics concepts based on the three dimensional model comprising of three factors viz. physical exercises, correct mathematical concepts, and pleasure.
 
Recommendations
The following recommendations are made as a result of this action research: 
 
1. To reform primary mathematics curriculum of teachers training colleges, it is imperative to improve the awareness and knowledge of teacher trainees in activity-based teaching methods
 
2. Workshops and seminars should be organized for the training and re-training of teachers on using activity-based teaching methods  in mathematics classes
 
3. Activities related to primary mathematics should be created under the three domain model comprising of physical exercises, correct mathematical concepts, and  pleasure
 
4. Every school should be provided with an open primary mathematics laboratory with sufficient space, all necessary materials, and equipment for the use of activity-based teaching
 
5.. Primary mathematics should have periods with enough time allocation to accommodate the use of activity-based teaching  in the classroom
 
6. It is also recommended to get the service of an extra teacher to support the primary mathematics teacher in implementing activity-based teaching-learning process in the classroom

References
 
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