Effects of Heuristic Method of Teaching on Students ’ Achievement in Algebra

Abstract- This study investigated the effects of heuristic method of teaching on students ’ achievement in algebra. The study employed a non equivalent control group quasi experimental design. The study was carried out in Anambra State of Nigeria. Two schools were used for the study. The treatment group was taught topics in theory of indices using heuristic method while control group was taught the same topics using Conventional Approach. At the onset of the experiment pre-test (Algebra Achievement Test) was administered to the students in the two groups while at the end of the treatment session that lasted eight weeks the same Algebra Achievement Test was administered to the students as post-test.. Three research questions and three Null hypotheses guided the study. The research questions were answered using mean and standard deviation while the Null hypotheses were tested at an alpha level of 0.05 using Analysis of Covariance (ANCOVA). The Results of the study show that the heuristic approach is superior to the conventional approach in fostering students ’ achievement in linear algebra. The study further revealed that male students taught linear algebra using the heuristic method performed better than their female counterparts and that there is no interaction between method and gender on students ’ achievement in linear algebra.