IMPACT OF POLYA’S PROBLEM-SOLVING MODEL ON STUDENTS’ MATHEMATICS PERFORMANCE IN JUNIOR SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN ZAMFARA STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

ABSTRACT This research investigated the impact of Polya’s Problem Solving Model on students’ Mathematics performance in junior secondary schools in Zamfara State Nigeria. Quasi-experimental design was used for the study. Three research questions with their corresponding null hypotheses were formulated and tested using t-test statistics at 0.05 level of significant. The population of the study consists of 97,334 and sample of 360 students. Mathematics Performance Test (MPT) was used as instrument for data collection, which was validated and reliability index of 0.82 was found using split-half method. The study makes use of two groups, experimental and control group. Experimental group were taught using Polya’s Problem Solving Instructional Model (PPSIM), while control group were taught using discussion method. The findings of the study revealed significant difference between performance of students in experimental group and control group but in favour of experimental group. It also shows that female students perform significantly better than male students’ when taught word problem using Polya’s problem solving model. It is based on this finding the researcher recommended the use of Polya’s Problem Solving Instructional Model (PPSIM) in Mathematics classroom.