Effectiveness of interactive multimedia courseware as instructional medium for teaching multiplication of fractions.

Abstract

The study was carried out with primary 6 pupils at Assin Fosu demonstration school. This study looked at the comparative analysis of the performance of pupils who were taught multiplication of fractions using an interactive multimedia courseware and those who were taught using the traditional method of teaching. Visual Basic 6.0 and TechSmith Camtasia Studio v5.0.2 software were used to develop the interactive multimedia courseware on multiplication of fractions. An achievement test and questionnaire were used to collect data on multiplication of fractions. The achievement test consisted of pre-test and posttest; the two tests were parallel (that is, both test were at the same level of difficulty). Simple random sampling technique was used to select 72 primary five pupils (36 pupils each from the two primary five classes). Data was analysed using frequencies, percentages, Chi-square and t-test. The performance of the experimental and control groups, was not significantly different in both pre-test and post-test. However, there was significant difference in pupil's interest in multiplication of fractions in favour of the experimental (83%). The study was recommended that, pupils should be introduced to computers early enough, teachers should pay attention to the conversion of store problems into mathematical expressions, interactive multimedia courseware should be developed for challenging topics and collaborative method of teaching should be encouraged.